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microfiches 
(monographies) 


Canadian  Institute  lor  Historical  Microreproductions  /  institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best  original 
copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  unique,  which  may  alter  any  of 
the  images  in  the  reproduction,  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  usual  method  of  filming  are 
checked  below. 


0 


n 

D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers  / 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged  / 


Couverture  endommagee 


□    Covers  rer^tored  and/or  laminated  / 
Couverture  restauree  et/cu  pelliculee 

Cover  title  missing  /  Le  tit'e  de  couverture  manque 

I I    Coloured  maps  /  Cartes  geographiques  en  couleur 

Q    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)  / 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations  / 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material  / 
Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  edition  disponible 

Tight  binding  may  cause  si ladows  or  distortion  along 
interior  margin  /  La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de 
I'ombre  ou  de  la  distorsion  le  long  de  ia  marge 
interieure. 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restorations  may  appear 
within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have  been 
omitted  from  filming  /  Use  peut  que  certaines  pages 
blanches  ajoutees  lors  d'une  restauration 
apparaissent  dans  le  texte,  mais,  lorsque  cela  etait 
possible,  ces  pages  n'ont  pas  ete  filmees. 

□    Additional  comments  / 
Commentaires  supplementaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilme  le  meilleur  exemplaire  qu'il  lui  a 
ete  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details  de  cet  exem- 
plaire qui  sont  peut-etre  uniques  du  point  de  vue  bibli- 
ographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier  une  image  reproduite, 
ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  modification  dans  la  metho- 
de  normale  de  filmage  sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 

j   Coloured  pages /Pages  de  couleur 

I      1 

I I    Pages  damaged  /  Pages  endommagees 


D 


Pages  restored  and/or  laminated  / 
Pages  restaurees  et/ou  peiliculees 


Q    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed  / 
Pages  decolorees,  tachetees  ou  piquees 

Pages  detached  /  Pages  detachees 

L-'     Showthrough  /  Transparence 

r~[   Quality  o.  print  varies  / 


D 


n 


n 


Qualite  inegale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material  / 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata  slips, 
tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to  ensure  the  best 
possible  image  /  Les  pages  totalement  ou 
paniellement  obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une 
pelure,  etc.,  ont  ete  filmees  a  nouveau  de  fa?on  a 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 

Opposing  pages  with  varying  colouration  or 
discolourations  are  filmed  twice  to  ensure  the  best 
possible  image  /  Los  pages  s'opposant  ayant  des 
colorations  variables  ou  des  decolorations  sont 
filmees  deux  fois  afin  d'obtenir  la  meilleure  image 
possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratin  checked  below  ' 

Ce  document  est  filme  au  taux  de  reduction  indique  ci-dessous. 


lOx 


14x 


18x 


12x 


16x 


20x 


1. 


22x 


26x 


30x 


24x 


28x 


32x 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 


L'exemplaira  film^  fut  reproduit  grace  d  la 
g^n^rositd  de: 


National    Library  of  Canada 


Bibliot^eque  nationale  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantos  ont  ix&  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nertetA  de  t'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformit*  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
'  ■'ginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 

last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impre«- 
sic      r'  the  back  cover  when  appropriate   Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  filmis  en  commencant 
par  le  premier  piat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derni^r^  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
piat.  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film^s  en  commencant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  cortain  the  symbol       »   (meaning    "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ^-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  etre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  different:.. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  etre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film^  i  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

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6 

MICROCOPY    RESOLUTION    TEST    CHART 

ANSI  and   ISO  TEST  CHART  No    2 


1.0 


I.I 


•^  ilM      I  2.5 

32 


136 


2.2 


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1.25 


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^  APPLIED  ilVHGF     Ir 

^^1  '653    East    Ufjm    Street 

^— ™  Rocnestef.    New   tork         1^609       U!SA 

'-^  (716)    482  -  OJOO  -  Phone 

=  f716l   288  -  "^980  -  ^a^ 


IZOLDA 


A   MAGYAR    ROMANCE 


^ 


BY 


CAPTAIN  J.  VV.  FULLER 


THE 


Sbbeg  T^rcss 


lonOon 


PUBLISHERS 

lU 

FIFTH     AVENUE 

NEW  YORK 


/Montreal 


Copyright,   i()o?, 

by 

VHV. 

Bbbcv;  Press 


ri<i:i-.\rK. 


I  lu-  -r.aUT  ihiiiiIkt  .  .f  iIm.,  wIk,  juru-^r  the  f,,I- 
l.nviiijr  paj^'cs  will  dMiihiK  ..  Mi^p.  ,  i  ilu-  aiuli-.r  .,f  no 
Iii};!uT  iiiotivr  lliaii  \><  u,  a\r  a  |.KasiiiL;-  talc.  v,'!iiili 
\\>>\\U\  w  r\c  \i,  uliili-  a\\a\  a  lrv\  Icj-^iirr  li.iiir-  |. -r  ilir 
r.a.Kr;  and  pnliaps  siKco-  1..  a  i|nf-.li.  Mial.K-  r\i,  ut 
ill  iliat  rc;..;ar(l  i-  the  ntmo-i  he  jia^  attain.d.  r.m  lu- 
iia--  liM|ii-^  tl'at  at  Ka-l  a  leu  (,m1i,  ni..r(  ihi-ui^liiniliv 
iiii-liiu-d  nia\  Iktc  find  l'M(,d  h  ,r  rciK-cii.  mi,  ami  niav, 
ill  l!u-  stjcia!  and  icon,  unic  mndiiicm  (-1'  tlu-  lluiiL;ar- 
laii  I'la-antrv  ni  ilu-  sixteenth  rcntnr\.  \vliudi  h,-  ii;,< 
aitcniptcd  to  pMrtraw  and  in  ilir  di.-turhaiicrN  Mudi 
Conditions  -avc  ri>c  to,  find  -Mine  points  m'  '.imilaritx' 
to  the  (|Ucstions  uliich  a-iiate  the  i)nl>lie  mind  in  the 
l-".n-li-h  si)eakiii;:  conntries  of  the  \\.irM.e\en  imw. 

I  he  ])olitical  olioarchy  with  all  its  attendant  evils 
and  ahtist's.  is  f.  .rtnnati'ly  no  hm-er  \>,  Ik-  feared  in 
this  enliL;htened  a-e  ;  thou-h  the  death  throes  ol'  the 
i'.'KT  s\steni  in  South  Africa.  scarceK  \v\  ceas,d. 
warn  us  that  tlu-  -nil  hetweeii  the  ciinnrio  <,i  the 
p:;:-!  and  the  present  is  neitlier  so  i_;real  iK.r  so  ll\ed 
as  we  Lrenerall;.  lelieve.  I'.ut  a  financial  oli-ai.-hv 
wonld  i)ro\e  just  as  hatifnl  as  tl,e  poHiical.  Wn, 
even  nion-  sm.  since  imlitical  i-iih-uuipatiMii,  with  ihe 
educational,  int.dK'dnal  and  reli.^ion^  lihert\  which 
l"llow  in  its  train.  remUrs  man  the  more  S"-nsiiive  to 


I/. .Ida. 


oppression  of  whatever  nature.     That  lh<re  i-  m  \\w 
I'*ni,'l;sh  speaking  worltl.  at  this  ilauiiin^'  dI  ih.    iw  n 
tieih  eentury,  ilan;;er  ahnv^  this  line,  many  will  hc 
foiiml  to  atVirni,  and  some — it"t  a  few — to  deelare  tJK't 
the  evil  is  alr-ady  estaMished  in  our  midst. 

That  any  such  outbreak  of  terrorism,  amid  MomI. 
fire  and  fiendish  horrors,  as  distracted  lltmt^arv  dur- 
inji  ilic  l\a-;int  uprisiti.L,',  wi-rc  |M>--siI)lr  in  i.nr  liiL^hly 
civilized  commnniiie--,  im  >-l  m|  ii--  wi.uM  iiii!u--il;il- 
iujLrlv  deny.  Wt  iim^t  \\r  iimi  up. m  umil'  mature  re- 
llection  a'lmit  that  wn  lU'in  th.-iii  nue  occasion  ni  re- 
ceiil  date  wlnu  (if^aiiized  lali'-r.  in  it-  .'itlnniit--  to 
ri'.iht  real  or  fancied  wron.us.  lia-  lutii  hr'Hi-lit  iulo 
coiillict  \\i;h  orl,^•lnizell  capital,  ovi  rl  act--  have  been 
ci'iumittrd  1\  some  firehrands,  which  have  l)r(>UL,dit 
u-  luiiilcasaiuK  near  t"  tla'^rar.t  ;marcli\  :  so  el()>e  iii- 
di  id  that  we  have  started  1>ack  appalKd  a'.nl  duidder- 
itiL^-  at  the  L,dimi)se  afforded  us  into  the  Keriu!^  coun- 
teiiauce  '<\  that  hiileuus  demon." 

Tile  uriier.  li.'\\e\er,  iiiake>  um  claim  el'  liaviiii; 
discovered  am  panaeea  i'"r  -iich  an  t  vil  :  iiidee<!,  he 
doul'ts  ii  .-iny  -..ilur  than  a-,  it  fe-,i-~  ii|M.n  :i  ck»er 
a]>plicati'  m  >  il'  the  ( "e  .Men  Kule  h'.  mankind  in  L;eneral, 
— can  he  found,  lie  iIuih  fori-  fj  f,-ain<  frmn  inoraliz- 
inL;',  hill  leaves  what  he  ha>  written  to  the  indulgence 
(it  hi>  readefs. 

J.  W.  F. 
I .'  iiidi  lu.  Canada. 


CONTHNTS. 


'K»i- 


I      III.     I 


/iU.ir..i\    \V. 


II.    A    I.  rnl,lc    I 


XptllUIIH- 


III,   A   l;,ilrl,.-,|  C.ili 


28 


42 


i\'   \h.  i..i.r.  \ 


uri  A|i()c.il 


\  .    '   ai.l.-hii./^    I  .ill    1  I,  I,  ncle 


\  1.    \ii  (  ijipiirtuiiL-   .\ni\al 


\II     II 


i"-'-ii  1(1  l.i-.iil . 


\'lll.     Il.il.  hillll  tlu:    I'lot. 


I\.    WaniiiL'  < 


'(iiiiMliirs 


X.    Ihc  M. 


nirlltoiis    I  )cLi>.ioM  . 


Xl.    \n  ll,r..K    I- 


liliiri' 


II.     .\     |r>rtllll.llf     .\Il-Lii 


XIII,    I'nrLU.iriiLcl  :iii(i 


Xl\.    I.in..-.  |..,(al   1; 


lH(|lU:t  . 


.\\.       Ihc    \- 


ayvdiir's    I  riiiiii])h  . 


\\  I.    Of  (i.iiir-,  I 


\evuiigi: 


XVII.    11, c  I 


V     I    'Mvlilt. 


will.  A 


I  liust  . 


XIX.  TIk-  ■■  T 


np.Trtite  Cod 


f'i 


S^ 


<r> 


'  }-\ 
1.15 
150 

'57 


J- 


pildguc-. 


I 


IZOLDA. 


rROLOGUE. 


I. 


"Lepfcnds  of  ^'i?e,Q:I■a(I  ?  Yo>,  truly,  gracious  lady 
ami  nolik'  sir,  llicy  arc  many;  hut  none  is  all  so  sad 
and  vet  so  sweet  as  this,  which  1  now  make  known 
to  you. 

"I'ar  and  awav  to  the  northward,  as  you  douht- 
li-^-  know  full  well,  the  mi.L;hty  Danube  Hows  not 
^-'lUtlnvard  as  in  this  reij^ion,  Imt  straight  eastward. 
There,  where  the  t^rand  and  lofty  iiile  a  Esztcrt^om 
raises  its  <;reat  dome,  at  one  lime  dwelt  Xie!  olas 
Cerhard.  Xo  sim]de  tilK'r  of  the  soil  was  he,  hut 
I'tie  of  l.arLje  estate;  thou^^h  then,  as  now.  the  nohles 
held  all  land  and  let  it  out  on  terms  nrit  lax  to  those 
I'f  meaner  hirth,  who  to  live  must  Irdx-ir  sr.re  and  re- 
tu.rn  i'l  taxes  and  other  exactions  tlr-  far  lari:^  r  I>-'i'"t 
(if  .all  thev  reaped.  lUtt  Nicholas  had  from  the  141  h id 
jirelate  i.f  l\s/ter,t:^oni,  upon  the  upiuT  side  "I  the 
i;reat  w.ater,  a  s^'oodlv  tract  of  ni.anv  hroa.d  .'icri's. 
which  l,a\  alont;  the  river  e\en  as  far  as  \  iset;Tad. 
This  he  let  .auain  in  ^mailer  parcels  to  (he  i)0')rer 
peasaiU  folk,  an<l  maiK'  fair  profit  from  their  lab(3rs, 


I 


8 


1/olda. 


wliilr  a>  llu'  \rar-  wcin  l'\  lir  ha'!  Itcconic  one  of 
imicli  inthu'iicr  ami  r^urni  ainoiii;  tlu'  ])(.'o])lc.  I'or- 
tuin.'  favorini;'  him.  lu'  ~o  far  I'scapci!  the  exaciioMs 
of  th"  noltles  a:-  to  la\  1)\  a  i^oodK  store  of  .i^'jld,  and 
Ii\eil  at  ease. 

■'^'et  liad  ilii^  fa\(ireil  peasant  one  threat  sorrow: 
f'lr  in  earl\  life.  (i'mI  \sa>  pleaseil  to  allow  cniel  dis- 
easi'  to  smite  and  la\  e(ild  in  death  his  voiiii'^  wife, 
scarce  three  years  afjcr  ]\v  had  wedded  luT.  lie 
loved  liiT  well  and  wa>  most  lo\al  to  her  nu'mory. 
thert'fore  prized  mo<t  highly  her  second  self,  his  only 
child  l/olda,  who  was  hut  few  months  old  when  or- 
])!ianed  "i  her  mother,  hut  now  liad  coine  to  he  a 
woman  iiuiie. — tall,  dark,  with  tjlorioris  eyes  and  of 
Wondrous  L^race.  Not  slow;  were  manv  to  woo  and 
set.'k  to  win  her.  and  'twas  i-\en  said  that  more  than 
one  smu  of  some  nohli.'  h.iu-.r  had  spoken  Iter  fair  and 
in  all  hondi-  souj.;ht  lu  r  for  hi>  hride  ;  hut  the  (lueeiily 
Izold.'i  |);issed  heart-wlmle  hy  all  until  one  summer, 
when  with  h(-r  father  >1h'  had  i;o:ie  in  dwell  a!  the  out- 
skirts (if  the  \-illai;e.  which  wa>  <  in  the  ea-^tward  side  of 
tlie  river  and  niijh  to  \'ise,qrail.  Here  had  Xickolas 
hni't  him  a  dwelliuLr.  not  lari^e  n- ir  containin;;"  o\-er- 
much  of  Inxurv.  hut  surroundiil  hy  a  hroad  and  jtleas- 
atit  i.;arden.  which  sloped  down  to  the  water's  el'_;e 
and  was  tdK'd  witli  fruits  and  llowers  in  stich  profusion 
as  made  it  like  a  fairv  houer,  and  thi--  riL^ht  opposite 
to  'he  nn.ii  ca^tk 

'In  those  l)riL;ht  da\s — now  seeminpU-  jiassed  and 
<;nne  forever — the  court  was  much  at  \'ise[jrad,  atid 
the  good  kin;::,  Matthia--  Corvinu--.  ha<l  tnade  it  cvcit 


Prolociie. 


a^  till'  Ciarilfii  of  IvU'ii  ciimc  a,^ain  in  its  !na,L;niricciK"t'. 
<  M't  as  iIk'  fair  l/i'Ma  jiacnl  the  ^Imro  and  <;azcil 
across  llu"  waters,  dii!  slu-  licar  tlio  snunds  of  lii^lit 
vv\v\  and  sec  tlic  iL^av  courtiers  in  tlirir  rich  attire  and 
on  |irancin,Lj^  steeds  come  and  !^o.  and  withal  set'in- 
ini,dy  as  h.Ljht-hoarted  an'!  jovons  as  thoujj^h  no 
sliadow  (),'  care  or  sorrow  c-er  dared  to  intrude  within 
the  ^ates  of  that  favor(  '  jilace  ;  an<!  oitcii  as  th  >  caval- 
cades moved  out  (hd  •^he  si^aze  and  tr;  to  catch  a  view 
of  t'orvimis — that  micjhty  and  stron;^^  kintj,  whose 
]>raises  wire  in  the  moutlis  of  all  men — but  never  did 
slie  seem  to  ijain  her  desire.  Sometimes,  at  ni^jlit 
the  myriads  of  li,q;hts,  which  shoin,-  and  danced  about 
the  tall  towers  of  that  hit;h  citadel,  and  were  reflected 
aii'ain  in  the  dark  waters  far  down  at  the  foot  of  the 
steeji  hill  ui)on  which  the  castle  raised  its  proud  licad, 
wliili'  sweet  strains  of  nuisic  mellowed  by  the  di-tancc 
fell  upon  the  ear.  made  it  seetw  almo.st  as  if  tlicre 
indeed  was  perched  some  pliantom  abode,  a  pardon  in 
the  clouds  not  meet  for  sinful  man  to  enter  in.  For 
those  were  the  da\  s  of  our  JTun^ary's  pride,  when  the 
grandeur  of  the  court  of  the  wearer  of  St.  Stephen's 
triple  crown  was  the  wonder  and  envy  of  all  Christeii- 
<loni  ;  and  many  came  from, far  for  no  greater  purpose 
than  to  see  if  the  stories  told  of  ijreatness  and  spleii- 
<]■  'V  conld  indeed  be  true. 

"As  the  wilful  maid  walked  daily  in  the  view  of 
such  scenes  .-hi^  i^rew  to  live  in  a  wdrld  of  lur  own 
creation,  peopled  bv  kiuos.  knights,  q-av  courtiers  and 
sL^^rand  dames,  and  came  to  think  almost,  that  slie  her- 
"^olf  was  sv  :ne  high  princess:  and  this  made  her  still 


lO 


I/.nUla. 


iiinii-  liarsli  to  tin-  many  ^iiitni ,,  wli,,  cdr.tinucil  to  sue 
for  luT  lu'arl  ami  liami.  I'o  lur  fatlicr  also,  who  had 
vwv  hrrii  hi  r  slavi.'.  shi  \sa^  iiiorc  imperious  iha.i 
wont,  until  the  ])<,n\-  uian  uonderei!  what  ailed  his 
child,  ami   feared  that  site  was  ill. 

"  <  >f  a  sudden  thi>  all  chaiii^'cd,.  One  cvcn.inij  as 
she  walked  he-ide  the  water,  just  as  the  I)ri^ht,  red 
sun  was  hidini:  his  liroad  face  l)ehin(l  the  heights  of 
the  llakon}er  W'ald,  e\eu  as  it  does  at  this  moment, 
and  steeiiinj;;  in  mellow  lii^ln  the  lovely  plains,  (all  un- 
noticed, for  the  maid  was  lost  in  one  of  her  hri<.;ht 
dreams  and  Lrazini,^  fixedly  upon  the  hi.L,diest  tower 
of  the  rocky  fortress,  while  i)leasin!^f  plhantoms  chased 
each  other  across  her  mental  vision)  a  sin,<,de  cavalier, 
(luite  unattended  stepjied  lightly  down  the  hank  be- 
ne.ath  the  castle  w.alls,  and  tindin.L,^  there  a  boat,  en- 
tered and  with  firm  strokes  rame  (|uieklv  across  the 
river  and  jhisIumI  his  prow  ujiou  the  shore,  ere  the 
maid  was  conscious  of  his  comini,^  As  he  spranfj 
ii,u,dul\-  up  the  hank,  however,  she  cpuckly  recalled  lier 
j,'aze,  and  (piite  startled  hv  his  >udden  ajji-earance 
made  as  ihou-h  she  would  llee ;  hut  he,  dofrmj;  Iiis 
cap  with  C(.)urlly  s^raee,  beseeched  in  soft  tones  that 
she  tarry  and  fear  not.  since  he  was  in  truth  a  friend. 
Izolda  was  aL;ain  lier  natural  self — the  cov  and 
sweetlv  denuue  child  of  Xickolas — and  answered 
simjily  tu  the  (lueslions  put  her  by  this  strantjer 
knight,  a>  I  >  the  occupants  of  her  fatlicr'>  villa,  which 
it  seemed  h.e  had  marked  from  the  farther  side. 

■'  The  stranger  seemed  but  simple  knight,  yet  was 
he  a  man  such  as  maidens  love  to  look  upon.     Not 


Prol()(i;ue. 


II 


over  middle  Iici,L;lit,  l»iii  hroad  chotrd,  >troiirj  armed, 
as  one  to  whom  to  wield  tlie  sword  and  lieavy  l)attle- 
a\t'  were  but  as  cliild's  play.  A  ()riiicel\  head,  poise  d 
I'etween  his  massive  shoulders,  with  keen,  tlashin,;.,^ 
e\es  whieli  seemed  to  st'e  iiUo  the  inmost  thouudits. 
An  almost  ^-entle  voice  v.hich  spoke  in  tones  which 
soothed  and  made  one  feel  as  thou.^-h  he  could  listen 
always,  even  when  it  was  raised  in  louder  key  and 
spoke  in  a.v  ents  of  mastery,  with  intent  to  bend  men's 
minds  to  his,  and  brook  of  no  dispute.  The  maid 
had  now  no  wish  to  flee,  but  stayed  an-l  listened  to 
his  talk  and  herself  answered — of  wliat  she  scarce! v 
knew — till  he,— hearing  some  S(nmd  from  \'isegr;'iil, 
the  jnirport  of  which  he  seemed  to  know, — bade  her 
farewell  and  stepi)in.cf  again  into  his  boat  returned  as 
he  had  come. 

"Another  night  as  Izolda  walked  in  the  garden,  he 
came  again  and  tarried  long  time  to  talk  with  her, 
and  soon  he  came  again  and  still  again,  unid  she  had 
come  to  feel  him  not  a  stranger,  but  one  to  wiiom  she 
Could  (alk  freely;  and  as  he  seemed  to  know  all  things 
about  whatsoever  she  chose  to  speak,  she  asked  him 
many  eager  questions,  but  most  oft  about  the  life 
within  those  great  walls  around  the  frowning  keej) 
of  \'isegra(l.  He,  answering  well,  told  much  of 
courtly  scenes  and  noble  jousts  and  knightly  tourna- 
ments, himself  the  while  finfling  deep  pleasure  in 
watching  the  eagerness  with  which  she  drank  in  all 
his  words,  and  how  the  color  mounted  to  her  cheeks 
and  brow,  when  he  spoke  of  nolde  deeds  of  arms  and 
skill  as  done  within  the  lists  before  the  king,  when 


12 


I/(.Ki:i. 


^Miiu'  .ureal  ua-i  and  >hii\\  was  inaiK'  to  impress  the 
iiiiinl  III  tlu'  aml)a->-.a'!i  ir  ni'  I'lireiL^n  state.  Sn  nuicli 
was  s|u-  eiiiraiK-e.l  in  li^ti'nini:  tn  tin-  lliiiii^s  lie  had 
to  tell  in  answer  ti-  ner  {|nestiuns.  that  it  never  came 
ti  ■  her  to  asls  wli\  lit.'  had  tir^t  eonie  across  the  stream, 
aiiil  come  aL^ain  ;  an>l  soon  she  came  to  look  for  his 
comin.fj  as  snrely  as  the  settint;  sim  touched  the  far 
off  hills  with  his  fiery  disc  and  hathed  the  peaceful 
land  in  ruddy  -^Inw — and  seldom  was  it,  all  that  smn- 
nier  lon^,'-,  ih.at  slu'  had  to  look  in  vain. 

"And  so  thr  d;i\s  ;nid  weeks  ])assed  (|uickl\  hv  in 
Kri'at  (kliL;ht  to  I/,, Ida.  l-".ach  even  the  kni,i,dit  would 
liave  much  to  entertain  her  with,  whilr  he  descril)ed 
tile  scene  when  the  envoy  of  some  mi,q:htv  jxdentate 
was  hrou-ht  into  the  presence  of  kiii^-  Matthias — (for 
the  knii,;lit  it  seenieil  diil  hoM  some  office  which  kept 
him  much  near  the  person  oi  the  sin-ereii.;n,  and 
knew  all  of  ;iny  moment  that  hapiiened  in  the  castle, 
or  indei'd  at  .-my  plact-  withiu  the  realm):  and  when 
at  times  an  eveninij  came  wli'-n  the  maiden's  wistful 
looks  across  the  wave  ])asseil  unrewarded,  he  had  ex- 
plained when  next  the\-  im-t  that  husiness  for  the 
kiui,'  of  much  import  had  l:ept  him  away.  It  wa.s  at 
times  a  siirjit  to  see  him  l.iu-h,  as  he  di^scrihed  the 
startled  looks  and  mute  ;ima;'i'ment  of  some  of  these 
lords,  who  had  travelled  much  and  visited  stranije 
lands  and  mit^hty  princes,  yit.  when  they  came  he- 
forc  our  Ilunj.;ar\'s  kin-,  the  richness  and  the  gran- 
deur they  saw  there,  sm-passed  all  else  which  tluv  had 
seen.  One  indeed  (in  re]>"rtinQ;  to  his  sovereicrn)  had 
said  that  this  \"ise,2:rad  was  in  truth  an  earthly  para- 


'rolopue. 


»3 


(Use. 


O 


ncr 


he  (Uscnliiil  t-i  Ikt  tlu-  niiijlity  train, 
w  hic-Ii  w  as  at  dawn  to  sit  foitli  to  luar  connnunicalion 
iroin  tlu'  kinir  to  tlu-  C'oinl  oi   Xaulis. — luuulrcils  of 


I  ancini 


-ti'f 


<h 


numntfil 


1)\    \ontliiul 


an: 


•lit- 


the 


IloWX' 


r  oi  f!ii\alr\ 


and 


il   L;i"ac(_',  wuh  run  trai)i)nii. 


am 


1   h 


lariR'ssm^s   aiila/.o   uitli   pn^'ions   stones,   winlf 


iluT  riders  wo 


.■rr  clotlud  in  rich  and  oostlv  raiment  as 


uian\ 


)lored 


tlu 


ranihow:  t'u-   splendor  o 


u  noie 


le  snite  far  (-ntslione  ai 


nv  siu'li  arra\  sniee  the  <la\s 


f   th 
1; 


of  tlie  jL^reat  Solomon,  lie  was  not  scjon  tired  of 
tilliiiq-  of  all  this  j-omp  .-md  i^rand  (lisplay,  and  the 
maiden  li>tenin:.^  ,L;lorii-d  in  it  too. 

"  'And  the  Kini^,"  ([noth  --he,  'Is  he  not  a  t;rand  and 
i:;e)odK  man,  fair  to  the  ew'.  one  whom  yon  lose  to 
look  npon,  \et  tri-inl)K'  at  his  \\<ird'  1  think  the 
Lireat  Kin^'  L'orvimis  must  he  >neli,  for  nan  .  ;',re  the 
tales  the  jjeasants  ttdl  of  his  wondrous  deeds,  of  his 
inii,duy  stren.yth  with  arms,  and  yet  how  that  he  is 
kind  and  tilled  with  tenderness  toward  the  weak  and 
sullerintx  imes.' 

"  'In  that  I  scarce  can  prompt  yon,'  lan^liin^Iy  re- 
torts the  kniLjht.  'I  myself  have  found  him  nnich  as 
oiher  men'  at  times  most  fair  and  gentle,  \  et  at 
oiluTs  not  so  fair  of  woril  or  deed,  and  as  lor  looks, 
is  to  the  eve  nuich  su(di  another  one  as  !.' 

".\t  this  the  maiden  was  covered  with  confusion 
and  t)lushed  rosy  red.  for  in  her  heart  she  was  fain  to 
iiiink  that,  if  her  sowri-i^u  was  e\en  such  .another  as 
liiis  knight, — then  was  he  I'erforce  Ixith  Lircat  and 
noble,  full  of  kindly  j^race  and  one  most  fair  to  look 
upon. 


u 


I/oUla. 
II. 


■(  hic   eve,   ulicii   tin-   kiii;^lit    canio   not.  tlu'   i::rc'at 
(.-astK-   aiiprarv'l   all   oiir   nia>-s  of  li-lU    wliicli  Ula/tMl 
with  sti'a'lv  .u!'>r\  all  ni-!it  l-n;^  and  oiilv  iiak'il  ulun 
llu-  ni..niin.L:  '-nn  sliMiic  f'>rlh  a-ain.      And  all  that  dav 
ironi  rarh   dawn.  iIiro!iL;s  df  u;ay  tri>ni)rr--.  rdurturs 
and  fair  ladir>  mdi-  t'  and  fro.  whik'  latrr  in  llu-  day 
tluTc  i-anio  tlu-  Marc  '>i  trunii>rts  rinu'inL:  loiid  across 
thr   wairr.  and  at   one  tinio  toward   cwu.  a   iiiiL^lity 
>hom  went   lip  which  si'cnicd  to  clca\c  the  vault   of 
luavcn.      All    thi^   ami    more    Izolda    >au    anil   lu^ard 
lioni  lur  o\ui  howrr  in  tln'  i^ardcn.      iirr  lather  had 
in  trnih  told  lur  (who  knew  ■^o  well  alreadx  t,  of  the 
noltle  toiiriia\.  which  on  that  day  wa--  to  he  at  \  i^e- 
-rad  aiul  to  which  the  kin-hts  were  ^atherini:  iro'ii 
liirou-honl  the  laiul.  ako  ihat  >oine  fanu.ns  warriors 
were  come  from  far  countries:  and  he  had  wished  for 
IvT  to  ,l:o  with  him  to  see  thi-  hrave  show,  as  were 
ail  the  jioinilace  from  luar  and  fa.r.      lUit  she.  who  at 
niu'  time  woidd  L;laill\  hurt  \  to  all  such  play,  now  the 
ratlur  remained  at  home,  kiiowin,;.;  full  well  tiiat  wdieu 
the  even  came,  or  in  -hort    H'ace.  she  would  hear  of 
;dl  fro;ii  the  lij'-  of  hrace  Sir  Matthias  (for  lie  did  he.ar 
•he   same   -ood   na.me   a^    llmi-aryV  kin.L;);  and  the 
hearin--  of  ;uiy  tale  fr.  .ir.  those  lips  was  now  to  Ivjr 
more  pleasure  than  the  -leiiiL;-  for  herself. 

•■'riual  iiiL^ht  he  I'ame  not  near,  hut  on  the  next  the 
li.  ritman.  as  was  his  wont,  ptivhed  nff  from  "neath  the 
wa.lls  of  \'iseL,^rad,  and  -;o,  .11  with  izolda  jiaced  the 
farther  r-hore.  while  she  listene<l  to  the  full  concern- 


roloLTUc. 


It 


IV 


IV 


tv 


K' 


(  'T 


lU 


;ir 


IK- 


11- 


inu  till'  lirillianor  aii'l  llu'  ricluu^^  oi'  the  spectacle: 
ami  lur  I'ws  lla>lKil  aiil  lur  hriMili  canu'  (|iiickly  a-; 
siu-  ilraiik  in  liis  talk  1 1|  tin.-  iiiaiu'  1:ra\  i-  ilci-fis  >  >l  arm  . 
which  lia'l  Ihcm  t\i  mv  that  ilay.     Tm  lur  (iiu-stiotiiii;^ 


ti>  tiic  c.:ii-c  (I  ihat  ,un.al  shi)Ut  which  -till 


scl  iiu- 


riii.i;ini,'-  in  lur  car-,  the  kniLilit  made  ai'-wcr  lliat  the 
kiiiL;'  in  |:(.rMiii  liai!  clvistn  to  meet  within  the  li-ts  a 
L^reat  warrior  t'r.nn  .\i"-ili  (",rrman\.  uIm  had  aj)- 
peared  im,  incilile,  and  had  i>r<i\eii  him-^ell  the  clia;ii- 
]>iiin  1)1  the  da\,  and  the  MHiiid  -he  had  hear<l  wa-  the 
j)eaii  ol  iriumiih  which  li.ad  ari-eii  fn 'm  the  vast 
thniiiL,'-  of  spectatiir-  when  tlir  L;iaiit  was  hnrle  1  Ilea  1^ 
l|>^^'.:;  fmm   lii-~   saddle   li_\    the   iirowr>-   oi'   their  -uv- 


ereiirii. 


hit  \"U  \()ur>eli'  are  wearied  as  tlii'ti-l 


1   -liaKell 


m  s 


(line  i)ii>laiiL;ht,'  cried  I/olda.  unaMe  tu  (jiiite  con- 
ceal the  aiixiu  y  which  she  I'elt  as  she  noticed  that  the 
knight  iiiovimI  more  stil'lly  than  was  his  wont. 

■■  '(  )h  I  'tis  not  hill-,"  he  said  jestingly,  "I  also  had  to 
lia\i'  niv  jostle  with,  the  ('.erman's  hull,,  and  to-dav 
can  well  rememlier  ii.  The  kiiiLT  liini-clf.  a'thon-h 
he  proNtd  \ictorion-.  was  iioi  ithoul  a  few  liruises 
I 


h-r  h:>  i)ani-.      Ihit.  it  were  well  worth  while  to  ha\i 
j o-iK-d  with  a  dozen  Teuton  I'm-s,  to  see  that   look 


ot 


ere 


paiiud  Concern  in  \oi'r  -weet  face,  m\-  Izcjlda.'      II 
he  pan-eil  a  space,  then  added  earne-tlv,  scannin-  lur 
lln-hed  face  mo-i  ardeiiiK  the  while: 

"'\ow  tell  me,  iie:ir  one:  doi-s  not  inv  lie.art  he.it 
true  when  it  tell-  me  ih.at  -he  who  is  ihr  f;iire,-t  m;ud 
in  all  Ifmi-'arv,  does  lo-,v  nnwortlu  nie"  And  do.'s 
Hot  }ciur  own  lieart  tell  \<<u,  sweet  one,  that  'twas  fur 


i6 


Izukla. 


I'lvc  fif  \(.ii  ill. It  1  tir-t  (Ii,l  1-. •nic  across  tlic  Damiln' 
;iii'l  li.iw  I'Miic  hiilur  aliii'.-t  in,L;Iitlv  siim  ;  '  {\\c 
.1^"'  1""1n«i1  '1m\ui  in  -ili'DCf  all  lumlili,!-  f,  ,r  a  titiii', 
tli<  n  raiMii.L,'  ii|.  Ik  r  licnl  -Iir  facd  him  I'mnK  and  lliu, 
>]  'akc  : 

Nmiit  hcarl  tclK  \.  n  n,,  fal^ciinud  sjf  .\|,ittliia>^, 
Jiii'I  I  li"M  it  11"  ^liaim-  tM  irll  \(Mi  jilainU  that  inv 
heart  ilMih  lual  in  niii-MU  with  \'inrs.  W,  rc  \ .  .ii  to 
stt|i  iiii(,  \,,n  l,,,ai  and  niu  a\va\  in  an,L;(r.  thr  h-lit 
\\"uld  lade  111. in  Milt  m\  hiV  iMicvir,  I'.iit  I  inn-t  iitit 
luri^ci  in\  h,\\  <si;,tc  and  \Miir  exahrd  siaiiMii. 
WiiiiiL;-,  wruii^,  ha\<-  I  hicm  i,,  in(  tt  \<.n  liuis  i'r,,tn 
vvv  U>  eve:  hm  I  jKniMd  iimI  t^  think  wliat  uav  the 
stream  was  l,adin-,  i'.  .r  lilmd  wa^  I  to  all  -aw  the 
I'lea-iire  oi  tile  hiiiir,  and  now  inu'-l  I  lahe  u\t  tiic 
Imideii  of  my  toll\.  Deiiart.  Sir  Kni-ht.  Choose 
se.nie  fair  hride  of  ihii;,-  ,,\vn  e-tate.  ainl  for.i^et  lliat 
I/ol(!a  ( lerhanl  doth  li\<,.' 

•■■X'lt  so.  not  So!"  i)rote>ted  Sir  .Matthias  u  itii  tliat 
romm.an.jin--  ;iir  of   his   wliich    s,x'nie<!   ever   to  hrin^ 


in  til 


e  mastery  m  dispnte.     dt   -liall  not  he  thus 


eamiot  have  it  so!  \ot  so  ea-ilv  will  I  -ivc  von  nj)!' 
and  sei/in-  her  in  his  .anii-  lie  <-overed  her  face  with 
caresses,  then  ;iddiiiL,r : 

"  '  "S'oii  are  a-  f.air  :iiiil  -rai-efnl  H'-  any  of  tliose  of 
tiohler  line  and  coiild  well  j.  rfonii  with  :i!l  -lateliiu-ss 
the  dntio-  of  a  hi-h  e.iate,     \\a\  -hall  not  sav  me  no.' 

■■  Si.i.^hini,'-  tile  maid,  m.ade  answer: 

"'It  mn-t  he  -i;  for  I  .-cn  nont^ht  l)tit  a  simple 
peasant  maid  and  such  1  niu<t  remain.  Tlic  wild 
flower  of  the   fields   would   not   Ie.ok   well   heside   the 


V 


rologue, 


n 


^iatclv  plants  in  lur.llx  Ixiwrr.  Tlioro  I  wduIiI  liut 
'ill  M  )|)  and  taili'  anil  iCi!  i.\  i  r  iliai  in\  loril  ua.s  sccrrlly 
a>liaMUil  iifr.u-.  ilinii  ■,h;.l\\a\>  lu  nii^l'.t  lnval!;.  speak 
UK'  fair  ' 

■'  '.\i'.  ni'l"  a::;!Mi    ]\v  l^'ii'^lit  rojimuil. 

'■"It   must  l)i'."  lirnily   sjiakc  llir  maid. 

"Miu-li  ini>ri'  in  llii--  '-anu-  -train  tlicv  arL;;ut'il.  until 
at  k-iiL^tli  Sir  Matthias  limkr  furili: 

"  "Wrll,  K't  111'  a^  \i>ii  will,  and  w  li\  n.  it  'f  1  Icar  nir 
now,  >\\fvt  l/.iiida.  it  inik'i'd  mhi  uill  nut  I'Dnii.'  to 
t^racc  a  ditTcrcnt  sci'in.',  will  yon  not  l)i-  niy  own 
"!,ovl•"'^  liridf"  whiU'  still  livint,'  on  in  this  favornl 
sjxjt  "  1  inu^t  in  truth  lu-  much  at  X'isci^rad,  hut  I  will 
MircK  coinc  (.-ach  ni.L;ht  across  to  ki-tp  my  tr\;>l  with 
\ou.  Wo  will  enrich  this  howcr  and  make  it  v\un 
'^uch  a  ])aradisc  on  earth  as  is  \'ise^rad,  for  I  am  not 
poor  and  can  command  all  the  joys  that  richi'^  ^ivc. 
I  will  he  true  to  \on,  and  thoii'^h  I  must  oft  he  ah- 
sent  with  the  court  at  lUida  and  at  other  castles,  \  et 
will  I  alwavs  return  to  you,  and  we  will  make  this 
«l)ot  sacred  to  our  jovs  which  shall  continue  on  while 
life  shall  last.  Here,  too,  sh.all  our  declining:  hours 
he  sjient,  when  the  race  of  life  is  run,  and  as  lonij;  as 
hreath  fails  not  ;  I  sue.ir  1  shall  he  true  to  you.' 

■'Not  e;isil\  did  the  maid  a.^ree,  hut  eve  after  eve 
did  the  knii^ht  with  p.assioi,  press  his  suit,  until  at 
leiij^Mh  wearied  with  the  arj^jument  and  also  feelint;  in 
her  heart  that  if  she  forced  her  lover  from  her,  she 
would  likewise  force  the  life  from  out  her  hody,  sweet 
Izolda  L^^ave  consent,  :ind  henceforth  the  seeminirly 
(luiel  stream  of  life  tl'iwed  on  serenely.  As  hefore 
2 


i8 


I/olda. 


4u-  l-okc.l  .-acii  eve  across  i1k>  lloo.!  to  sec  lur  lover 
CMunn-  in  hi.  boat,  an-l  her  heart  Nvouhl  sin-  withm 
her  as   she  marke  1   1mm   l'n:h  om   lr.„n  the  tarlher 
.hore  to  keeli  liis  tryst  with  her-his  -wel!  iKloye-l- 
his  -heart's  trtic  inatc-as  he  \va.s  v.ont  to  call  lur. 
\„,1  ,f  ,.erehanee  the  -eutle  niai.len  in  her  -iniet  hours 
ln,l  au'  lit  of  ,!..ul.t^  a^  to  the  wiMloui  oi  this  course, 
she  quicklv  n.a.le  .he  unwelcnie  thoughts  to  flee  by 
olliu-  up  to  her  assistance,  other  ihou-hts  nvre  .,oy- 
lut    full  of  the  LVoo,lness  ..f  her  mate,  the  fervor  of 
1,;.  h.ve.  his  -allantrv.  his  -race  ..f  carria-e  and  the 
won.lrotts  gentleness  whicl,  he.  so  strong,  yet  s  nMne, 
,11  natnrallv  to  adopt  Nvith  her.      Many  1.  .nr^  ai -o  d.d 
.iK-    spen.l'in    the    ^lad   o  MUemplati. -n    ol    ihe   nuinv 
,,,,cion.   ^enis   and    iev,eis   of   strange   and    eunnu,- 
^^orkntan;hip.  uhich  her  lord,  .lespite  In  r   prou-.ts. 
a„l  press  upon  her.     This  or  that  ricl,  -. -ne  had    lie 
uouhl  tell  her.  heen  Ir.av'ht  to  ihe  eourl  l.v  the  Am- 
bassador  <.f   the   Turkish    SttUan.   the   envov    -f   the 
French   kin^    or   other    -reat    potentate.      Ihe    km- 
hhn-elf  cared  little  for  such  hankies,  save  th.at   they 
.orved  hi.  ,.urpo^e  in  deckin-  ottt  his  oun  amha--sa- 
,V  ,rs  to  some  foreit,ni  court,  and  in  this  wise  these  hid 
c.  me   into  the   hands  of  the  kni:;ht   Matthias,   who 
ooo.l  hiuh  in  favor  with  Ills  sovereiy-n. 

-Tho^e  i.ri.dU  and  hli<slid  davs  moved  on  apace. 
.,.,,1  l,,,!da  ever  seemed  to  walk  on  air  and  tnppcl 
about  as  h.;ht  of  foot  as  the  startle.l  fawn,  wlrch 
llees  affri-htcd  from  the  Imnter's  face.  I'mi  :dl  ;hm-s 
end.  a-.d  the  jovous  a!-\ays  more  (luickly  than  i!u- 
.Mher  daxs  uf  life— at  lea.t  it   so  doth  seem.     One 


l^rolc 


ig;ut 


19 


lit  wluii  Iicr  l()\or  canii,'  lie  was  trravor  than  was 


won 


t.  til 


r!, 


iouc:li  lie  stroM-  to  lau'Mi  and  simrt  witli 


Ikt  and  he  as  ijay  as  cvir  \\h':\v  tlicv  walked  and 
lalKvd  in  '-lose  tiiihraoe  aliDut  that  liltlo  liowcr  whoro 
-liruli.  i<Iant  and  liiiddin;^-  llower  made  the  air  redolent 


w  1 


th  tl 


leir  s\\(;et  |)erfi'.nu 


SI 


le,  with  tint  innck  s\ni- 


I'ath)  which  all  winneii  t'eel  with  those  they  love,  soon 


that 


Ik  was  trouhled.  and  in  smlder.  ilr 


eail  cne( 


ont  t<i  know  his  trial,  lie  sniiK-.j  to  note  that  all  her 
thoiiL^ht  seemed  to  he  lest  some  L^reat  evil  had  he- 
iallen  him.  and  hastened  to  qniet  her  fears.      Xo  re;d 


il  lu- 


ll, \et  li;id  he  that   to  tell 


WillCll 


lie  f; 


1111 


v.  "iild  leave  nniuld  as  he  knew  full  widl  't 


wtniiii  cause 


r  yjlvL  In  short — the  kin.L;-  had  that  very  dav  de- 
ded  that  in  three  da\s'  time  the  court  must  l)e  re- 
'i\rd  to  Ihida:  for  thoiiLrh  the  nioiiarcli  ever  lovi'd 

1  lie  at  this  time  sta\'eil 


o  iiiicer  a 


t   \ 


iseL;r;id,  vet  hac 


lar 


lid  his  wont,  till  all  the  gallants  ;iiid  the  1; 


wi  re  liecoinniLr  wear\-  tor  a  ehaiiu'e, 


■nlv 


as 


and  ;;rnnihled  as 
they  dared  at  the   iiri)lonL;eil  dalliance  of 


liur  lie-e.     All  save  Sir  .Matthia 


s,  will  •  was  well  con- 


tent to  limber  and 


ml 


would  mil 


ed  iiave  il  that  the  i 


•:o\a 


C'  nrt  .ahiile  for  all  time  in  this,  now  to  him.  choicest 
S'ot  in  all  the  earth — for  did  it  not  hold  that  which  in 
his  eyes  wr.s  the  most  priceless  jewel  of  .all  C.od's  uni- 
'nt  '^n  111'  must,  for  tliou-1i  he  himself  wi  mid 


,  I  rse 


lie  we 


11 


litem  to  sacnii 


ill  fill 


tire  lionors  a 


nd  di 


tinclions  tli.at   miirht   couie  to   him  al   court,  for  t' 


le 


]irivile!.;-e   ot    remammL 


dwa\s    in   llii>^ 


tl 


leir   ( 


art  hi  \ 


paradise 


iih  1 


lis 


itle  IzoMa.  th 


fori 


laiU'  an; 


would  in  nowaxs  hrook  that  he  shouM  .al 


jsent  liimsel 


2g  I/gUla. 

from  his  cla.lv  task.,  as  one  in  closest  companionship 

witli  his  licuc  li  'Tu-  ,   . 

• -The  kn,.;  he  sa„l,  Ss  nf  the  mind  that  anr  fa,r 
Hungarv  haUi  need  of  my  poor  services,  and  th-re- 
f„re  it  behooves  us  not  to  rebel  and  hold  our  pr,y.,. 
jovs  as  of  orcater  import  than  our  eountry  s  ^M-.d. 

■••The  maid  was  grieved  at  heart  to  hear  of  this,  yet 
strove  to  show  brave  from  bef.jre  her  lover  :  beeause. 
■.l.ar  soul,  she  thou,,ht  that   did  he  see  her  ^neve.l 
•twould  cause  him  .greater  pain.     So.  though  her  hear 
sank  as  a  stone  wiihin  her  an  •  she  f.U  a  tear  ot  she 

Unew  not  what,  to  bun  sb.-      -peared  to  listen  hopo- 
fullv  as  he.  in  effort  now  to  cheer  them  both,  spoke  o 
the'shortness  of  the  time  thev  would  be  .-.under,  and 
l,ow  he  knew  that  the  court  would  surely  move  luther 
a.^aiu  quae  earl V  m  the  spriuL^-.  for  he  would  do  ms 

umiost  to  augment  the  sovereign".  alrea<lv  strcm^  de- 
sire  to   s,.eu<l   much  time    in   sojourninn;   at    this   his 

fa\orite  castle.  ,    r  ■_ 

-Three  davs  pass  (,uicklv  bv.  and  so  at  length  fair 
l.olda  stood'u,-u  the  brink  of  Danube  wra,.t  m  one 
last  lonj,^  embrace  of  her  heart's  love,  ere  he  stepped 
into  his  skiff  to  leave  her.  .  .        ,  . 

..  .1),,,-  Inver.-  did  she  say  in  parting,  'for  thy  sweet 
sake  iKuc  1  striven  to  be  joy  ink  and  not  over  sad  at 

,h,s  farewell;  vet  can   I   no,   oVrcome  a  feeling       a 

Uns   w.ll  after  all  ,>rove  our  last   embrace,  and  tha 
,,,,.nn.xt  you  tt,rny,nir  prow  in  tins  direction. .n 

,,av  .eek  ,n  vain  for  >our   l.olda.       t  mav  be  bm  a 
,,as"sin.,  shadow,  and  1  am  foohsh  to  burden  vouwuh 

t    mv' sweet  one.     Yet.  if  my  fear  come  true,  know 


Prologue, 


21 


tlii..  that  niv  heart  is  linked  with  bands  of  stcrl  to  this 
>ciiie  of  ail  inn  joys,  and  if  I  hv  not  here  in  the  body 
to  welcMiiu'  thee,  still  will  my  si)irit  refuse  to  be  torn 
auav  Ironi  X'ise^rad.  So,  heart's  love,  here  will  ymi 
tin. I  nie  on  \onr  return  whetlier  in  life  or  seemin'j^ 
d(  ath,  I  know  not.'  .\nd  with  these  words  ringing:  in 
IiIn  ears.  Sir  Matthias  de]nirted. 


If. 


"After  jov  eoinuli  sorrow;  thou,i:;h  we  oft  deceive 
oiu--rIves   and    would    fain    believe    that    'tis   the    joy 
tltat   follows  sorrow.     It   matters  little,  for  both  we 
h.i\c.  and  thou.qh  the  joy  may  be  fleeting-,  \  et  of  the 
-orrou   and  to  the  full  we  shall  all  taste  of  a  surety. 
So  having  had  her  joy.  now  Izolda  had  her  sorrow; 
thou-h  whv  it  should  l)e  called  sorrow  is  iierhaps  not 
i.isv  of  understanding,  since  it  was  none,  save  that 
the  jov  was  no  longer  hers.     For  thus  do  weak  be- 
!n-s  >-o  oft  torture  themselves  unreasonaldy — the  sor- 
rows if  mativ  are  but  the  absence  of  joy,  while  other 
lUluded  foik  find  their  joy  in  the  mere  absence  of 
-orrow.     It  may  be,  jierhaps,  that  they  are  joys  or 
M)rr()\vs,  just  as  we  choose  to  make  them.     P>e  that 
as  it  m;\v,  the  maiden  soon  comiTienced  to  <lroop  and 
fade,  and  lier  father,  ihe  good  Xickolas,  became  quite 
concerned;   biit    to    all    his    inf|uiries    and    efforts   to 
r. 'U-r  her  she  ha<l  little  to  re])ly,  save  that  she  was 
i|inle  as  U'-tial  and  he  need  have  no  anxiety  fur  her 
welfare.     He.  poor  man.  was  forced  to  content  him- 
self with  watchinq-  in  silence,  and  doing  that  which 


22 


Izolda. 


lu-  iMiicrivfil  ii.  I'u  iiiM.>t  jiKa^inu,^  !o  his  child,  ami 
the  most  fittri!  to  ^ivl■  hi  r  viijuyniL-nt  ;  yul  was  it  srl- 
(liiiii  that  \\v  \va>  r(.-\var'!i.'il  hv  se'ciiii;  the  old  i,lcam 
of  inisrhiel  in  her  i'\e-,  (ir  luarin.!:;"  the  i_;a_v  l;ui.L;"hter 
filliiiL,'  the  !i'i\>-  (jiin.!  hiin-e.  lie  umiM  ha\e  left  the 
l)lace,  hut  t.i  all  wi'rd  ni  tha.t  .she  made  such  vi.;i)ri>us 
]ir()te-t  that  he  L'ave  u\<  the  ]'lan  and  spnlsc  nf  it  no 
more. 

"And.  s(i  the  \vear\  weeks  and  niMndi^  i>asscd 
shiulv  he.  mnil  one  dav  Xickolas,  reinnnuL;  fn-ni  the 
\illa,:.,H'  and  speakini,'^  of  what  he  had  there  setn  and 
heard—  as  was  hi^  wont  in  strisiu;;"  to  interest  her 
whose  life  lie  himself  lived  Iml  to  L;ladden — said: 

■■  '1  found  ah  '"  and  ea,ci'''  anioni;  the  jieojilo  to- 
da\"  ;  for  'tis  re;  >  '  that  KniL^  C"or\inns  does  ino\-e 
his  court  hither  to  \'isei;rad  ere  lon,L',.  and  has  sent 
liis  coniiiiands  to  hasti'ii  (MI  tin;  i)rei)arations  for  their 
honsin'^." 

"The  red  llush  mounted  to  the  ]iale  cheek  of  the 
fair  maid  at  this,  and  she  was  (|uickly  all  attention. 

"  'Stirele.  'tis  much  e.irlier  than  the  kiuL,^  doth  Usu- 
allv  come,  father  ?'  she  (|U<,stioned  ;  and  lie  well 
|)leased  that  she  should  at  la-t  show  inti-rest  in  an^ht 
(hat  he  s]>ake  of,  i^ladly  poured  out  all  that  he  liad 
Iieard. 

"  '  'Tis  full  a  month  earlier  than  the  court  came 
last  \'ear.  ;ind  the  ])eo])le  talk  thai  Ms  siilcmlnr  will  In- 
far  he\ond  what  any  former  year  hath  seen.  .\!- 
read\'  are  mane  workmen  at  the  I'.a-lle  in  ^'feal  haste 
to  rep.air  and  alter  to  the  kin:j,'s  pleasure,  \\  hile  manv 
more  are  ne,w  oti  the  wav  and  are  comin;;  in  almost 


riuuHiuc. 


23 


cvtTv  lidiir.  Sonii.-  [\vc  cunning'  artit"ict.T>  that  have 
Lrtu  1. roll-lit  fr-'iii  (litYoroin  lamls.  who  ai\  1"  pr.  ivo 
their  '^l.il!  in  (U^-  'r:..tin:4-  an. I  in  iU'vi>in,<;  luw  lK';;;ilieS 
to  mliaiK-c  tlu-  i>Ua>in\-.  t  I  tlic  favorites  of  the  si>v- 
en.  iuii.' 

•'The  maiden  now  I'-U'iU'!  <.\'U':erl\.  and  was  each 
(lav  ready  to  luar  ;iil  that   lu  1    tatlur  clio-e  to  tell: 
how  woiidr-otis  elianL;es  weie  lui'iL;-  nia.de  in  the  old 
ea-l!e  in  readiiie--  for  the  L;a\  revels  so  soon  to  waken 
their  sniall  world  a!;ain.     Soon  came  the  da\-   when 
the   sovereign   was   expeeted.  aai'l    Xickola-,   etioonr- 
a-ed  hv  his  dai!uluer">   show   of  intere-t.  iiKid.e  hold 
to  I'lead  that   she  set  oiil   with  him  lu  \o;;d  the   Haii- 
tihe,  to  see  the  .u^iy  cava.leade  as  it  jonnieyed  to  th.e 
ea-~ile.     To  this  Ip^olda  i^dadly  pive  eor-eiit.  and  to- 
L^elher  they     ]ied  across  the   llood  a.iid  tindin-^^  ^-0(m1 
position,  waited  for  the  c.mi'iy.;  of  the  inonareh  aii<l 
wearieil  not,  tho  i-h  'twa-  hi.di  noon  hefore  a  i:reat 
shont   went   up  from   the   waitin--  ihroiv,;,  and   many 
commenoed  to  call  down  hlessin-s  upon   their  well- 
hel  >ved  i\in,i;  Cor\inu-;  he  who  h;id  made  liun-ary's 
name  re-pected  throULdiout  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
"Ixolda    .c.-ized    all    ea-erly    at    the    i;av    company, 
which   with    noddiin-   plumes,   L^liiterin-  ai^.arJ   and 
slhniiiL;-   arms    roile    -lowlv    throu-h    the    accl.iimiiiL,^ 
pojnilace.      She,  however,  directed  not  a  iLilance  at  the 
monarch,  hut    the   rather  searclied   clo'^el_\-   the  faces 
,,|   tho.e   who  pressed   ahoin    him,   f..iid,ly   liopiii--  to 
catch  an  e;irlv  smile  from  the  nion.arch  of  her  heart  ; 
l.ut    she   !ooke(l    and   h.ok.  d   in    v;iiu,   until   at    leti-th 
her  heart   <ivvw  sad  within  her  and  she  hey.aii  to  he 


Izolda. 


tilIo<l  with  ^m;i\c  f.iiH'lx  nlitii;-,  ,<i  \\hi\i  nii:;iit  liavc  he- 
f.illni  Iniii  since  llif\  lia<l  paiU'l.  At  Icii.qtli,  sick  at 
litart.  slic  was  fain  t"  coni'cs-.  iImu-Ii  all  uiiwiiliii^lv, 
tli;;t  Ik-  was  not  i<\  that  ciiipanx.  ^i  liirticil  her  .ija/c, 
li>tlcsslv  ciioip^li.  u|i('!i  the  si>v< TciLiii  uh'i  imw  rorlc 
clo'-c  lu'sidc  Iter  ami  wIimih  never  vet  had  she  seen. 
thnuL;li  he  was  ^.i  much  at  Xisei^raM  'rrn!\  a  hrave 
picture  ili'l  he  iinhe.  this  >(il(lier  kin,!^.  ^"t  "ver 
tall,  luit  hroad  In .!;'  ji  !  e;l  and  deep  chesteil,  with 
iniL;htv  arms  th.it  In  1  I'c;';  ert'  this  servi'il  niMre  than 
'prenticeship  in  \\ieM;!i;  laavy  ,-wortl  and  hatl!e-a\o 
in  I  iiinL;arv's  (luai '■(.!-.  'jdn'  L;ay  trai)]>ini^s  n\  his 
prancinij  chari^er  and  the  rich  apparel  nf  the  rider 
made  pleasin^:  center  tn  the  sparkling''  cavalcade, 
'i'his  innch  l/'dda  marked  and  then,  as  her  eyes 
soui^iit  his  face  and  met  the  .admiring:  tdance  which 
ho  at  that  moment  lieiit  upon  her,  slic  reeled  in  sud- 
den weakness,  and  a,-  the  thron^^  closed  in,  fell  hack' 
as  lif(,U-s  in  iier  father's  arms,  hi  that  moment  she 
had  felt  her  doom  was  -caled  ;  for  in  that  jirincely 
rider  slu'  had  recoonized  her  lover,  and  was  tilled 
with  terror  as  she  knew  lier    iieart's  mate'  was  her 

".Ml  that  lon;,^  dav  and  the  next  she  lav  as  one  in 
death,  save  tliat  she  hrealhed,  thouch  verv  faint,  and 
Xickolas.  stricken  with  t;Tief  watcheil  heside  her  hed 
and  strove  1)\-  ;dl  the  arts  known  to  leech  and  imrse- 
wifo  to  hrinu:  her  hack  to  life  and  understandiuL;'.  .\t 
lentjtJi  she  sfi-iiieil  |o  sink  into  an  eveti  slutiih(-r,  and 
th'iso  \\1m  w.atclie'l  with  him  L;ave  lione  that  she 
would    waken    con>cioi,5,    wliereon    he    withdrew,    to 


Prologue. 


25 


limisclt  rest  a  wliilr.  In  (.arly  tviMiin.L:  lu-  awMkc 
aii'l  luirrioil  Im  discuvrr  Imw  fari-'l  it  with  \u^  cliiM, 
ami  \va^  siarllt'l  iiiurli  |o  timl  that  ^hr  lia'l  tlinvti. 
llithcr  and  thiiluT  lie  rn-!u-d  111  lii.L;!i  distress,  hut 
liiidinu;  her  im  >t  he  (|uickly  soni^ht  the  .L;ardeii  and  the 
river  hriiik  where  she  was  \\o\n  t'>  saiiiiter,  Tliere 
'>n  the  shore,  with  tlie  water  !ai)i)int;  aliMii'  ht  r  feet 
he  t'lum!  lier,  and  a-  he  ch'ew  ni;;h  saw  that  the  j,dint 
(if  inadne-s  was  in  Iut  eves.  Stretehini;  forth  her 
arms  to  where  on  hi<;lt  X'iseq-rad  raise<l  its  embattled 
heiL,dils,  whicli  ihe  s^ttin'.^'  sun  at  that  moment  Ivathed 
in  polder   i;lor\ .  slie  erii'd  : 


^■ 


es.  m\-  heart  s  lo\'e 


I 


M' 


"  '^'es,  mv  Mattliia- 
niorc  ilian  l\in;^.  1  lu.ar  tli\  summons  and  I  shall 
kee[)  mv  troth.  To  \isei,nad  1  come,  1  eome,  my 
Kini;:'  and  s])rinj.^in,u;  into  the  rolling'  waters,  was 
(|uieklv  stranyleil  l.\  the  rnshini,'  flood:  and  when 
thev  rescT'.ed  that  frail  hody,  her  spirit  had  lon^-  since 
tied. 


IV. 


"  'Twas  evenin,<,r,  u-hon  a  litiht  boat  sped  across  the 
wave  from  X'iseijrad.  and  as  it  touched  the  shore  a 
seemini^iv  simi)le  knii;ht  spranj.^  forth  and  ea.L;erlv 
looked  about  to  discover  where  his  fair  one  liad  hid- 
ilen  hers(df.  Ihn  all  was  still:  so.  when  he  ha<l 
walked  the  ,t,^arden  throu-h  ami  throU},di,  callinc^ 
t^entlv  the  while,  and  still  found  none  to  p:rcct  him, 
]]!•  at  last  a|iproaeh<'d  the  house,  round  about  which 
a.  lie  drew  ni-h  he  saw  a  concourse  of  tb.e  pioi.ulace. 


i6 


I/()lti;i. 


At  this  iu-  pausc-l  ;rrrM^lulo.  (Iri.aliii;^-  wlirtlKT  l')  a.l- 
vancv  or  t.>  retrace  liis  st^i's  to  tlu-  nv.  r  -i  le  and 
there  await  t!ie  Ciiniii.^-  «'i  Ins  dear  .me:  l>iil   in  thai 
lUdinem  there  supj-ed  te.rlh  l)earers.  earrxMi-  a  hi,r. 
and  '.n  ilial   hier  all  clad  in  sinij.le  while,  he  niarke  1 
tile  lorni  and  face  . 'l'  lur  who  wao  hi>  Mhade  <>i  lo\e. 
At   tir-,t   he  made  to  s^rin-   to  the  '-i'e  m1   ihai   cold 
1",  Tin.  then   cheeked   hinisell   and    sadl>    tmaied  away 
and  to,,l,  hnn  to  ln>  hoat,     'idure.    i^  he  -to^d  ni^-n 
the    -hore    and    -a/ed   ah  -nt    di^cons.  datelv.    the    -ini 
had  jn-t    siuih  he>o;;.!   llakonv    r   Wald  s  hii^h   leak-. 
and  wnh  hi-  partin-  he.-iiii-  l-roken  into  a  thousand 
lra-n-.er,ts.  touched  with   ro>v  tints  the   -reyne-.-.   oi 
the    tloaiin-    nii-ty    clouds,    and    as    the    kni-ht    still 
L;a/ed.    the    -iorx     -preail    throughout    the    vault     ol 
"heaven;  then  a-  the  planet   sank  further  in  ih,'  west. 
a  cold  -revness  as  of  a-hes  commenced  to  steal  across 
the  scene,  while  a  deeper  .!j;!oom  came  on  ajiace.  and 
the  li-ht   wind  waxin-   str.  n-er  seemed  to  sj-h  and 
moan  am  on-'  the  shrubs  of  the  deserted  -arden. 

•■'i'o  the  kni-ht.  as  with  howed  head  he  re-entered 
his  hoat  ami  pulled  awa\.  it  came  home  that  the 
hriuht  li-h,t  ol  his  heart's  h.appiness  had  also  sunk  to 
rest  lernin-  him  noihm-  l>nt  the  ashe-,  thon-h  thev 
\\  ere  I  if  roses. 

••\e\t  dav  a  messen-er  from  the  kin^  knocked  at 
111,.  ,k„,r  of  the  hoiisc.  ,,f  \i.'  >i,is,  hut  l..und  it  e!.,-.  d 
and  all  de-parted— wliitlur  he  could  learn  not.  thou-h 
reiieirt  said  that  somewhere,  away  lieyond  the  1  r;in- 
s\Kani.ni  Alps,  the  uriel  ■  iricken  and  ayed  man  ]i;m1 
lied  to  hide  his  broken  life  .  hut  no  one  knew,  and  al- 


Pr()lo[Tvie, 


27 


tlinii-Ii  the  kiiiL;  nur'a'  ii-.m,!  ;;n  1  ilili-nit  ijuc-t, 
I. II  ire  cmiM  iu'\t  \n-  KariU'l  "f  liini.  "I'wa.-.  nimnn-il 
lli.it  tlu-  ip.aiil  lia.l  K  i''.  a  iia_\'-  "M  cliiUl ;  but  it  tliis 
\\\rv  tru  .  it  al-M  In  1  lu-r  I'ath.  r  tak'Mi  aua>  uiili 
liini.  II^-ariiiL;-  "f  il,'-~  tlu'  kin,;-  nia'k  frc--li  itYurl  to 
unearth  t]ie  man.  hiu  ih  ur^h  liis  im'->eii,:.;ers  iiKi'le 
p,-<)iiii^e>  'if  L;reat  rewanls  for  any  tidinirs,  mniijjht 
came  <  'i  It,  aii'I  that  \  ear  the  e^  iiirl  \v;is  (inir!-.ly  in(i\  eil 
fmni  \ise,^rail:  imt  ever  \va>  the  fortre^^  <■>  s^ay  and 
hriL;ht   aL'ain. 

"And  now  the  castle  a'-  \  i 'U  >ee  is  I'ln^  in  rnuis. 
^'et  t<i  ilii>  dav.  'tis  sai  1  'hat  here  the  '-iMiat  nt  the 
fair  I/ilda  duis  l^eeii  lier  tr\>t,  anil  as  the  helated 
swineh.rd  jia^si-s  on  hi-  homeward  \say,  oft  lias  he 
heard  a  nmaninL^'  of  -ueh  sadm-ss  as  to  mow  i\'en  a 
stDiiv  heart  to  tear-,.  Thi--.  'lis  well  known,  can  lie 
iiolhim;  other  than  the  wailinL;>  of  that  faithful  maid, 
as  :  he  ■<till  waits  the  coming  of  her  'heart's  luate.' 

"Stories  of  \'iset;rad  !  ^'ea,  verily  are  lliey  luany  : 
hut  none  like  uiUo  thi-^  true  leL^eud.  Thanks,  uolile 
Sir.  l"or  a  coin  one  fonrtli  of  this,  I  conld  rt\eal  the 
future  to  \du  and  this  sweet  lady  in  fashion  which 
would  much  (kdi!;ht  you.  N'ou  will  not  "  Well  then, 
farewell ;  I)Ut  for^^et  not  tin-  tale. of  Xisei^rad,"  And 
the  wanderin,<:  KM'^y  mrus  away. 


i 


1 


78 


I/oltla. 


(II  \iTru  I. 

Till       r/h,\N.\"s    WARNINC. 

A    l,iri.;c  opni   -pi"    wnh    -miH.thlv   trampled   r.irtli 
f..rm-    a    -"Vt    ^f    cnrtyanl    tn    a    \'<\v    thatch  r-'.tca 
PuinliMiiM',    on    thr    Mut-kirts    nf    a    (|in''t     llun-arian 
villa-r,  with  it-  nur  -^trair.i^din.u'  -tivrt   ruiiniii.i;-  in  ami 
,.Mt    hcturrii    irrr-ular    mws   nf    \\!utrvva>lii'-l   hMuscs. 
—each  a  '-iK'cio  i<\  ininialnn'  ca-tlc  with  its  hi-li  -'.lid 
niitrr   wall   and   hraw   strrct   crate-,   within    which   arc 
to  he  fonnd  ridicnlou.slv  -niall  courtyards;  wliich  arc. 
however,    for    the    nio^t    part    -cnii.ulously    clean    and 
sonietinic-    not     without     jireten-ions    of    ])ani-taknii; 
iK.rticnltin-e.      I  he  warm  -nn.nicr's  -im  had   in>t  -nnk 
to  iH'St   l.ehind   a    <]n\v  ol    the    I'.akonyer   Wald.    far   in 
the  di-tance.  cau-ini;-  the   dark   ma— e-  of    the  nionn- 
tains    to    stand    forth    in    hold    relief    and    forniin-    a 
l)icttireMine    hack-Tound    to    the    peaceful     landscape 
spread    ont    in    the  -s.-lt    twili-ht.    which    is    already 
he^innin.LT  to  steal  .across  the  scene  as  two  vouni,^  men 
stroll   forth    from   the  .t:ates  of  the  nei-hl)orini:  castle 
and    wend    thei"     ,av    in    the   direction   of    the    villa.^c. 
Here  and  there  ma\    he  seen  ;i  well  la<len   wa-on   rc- 
turnin;;    from    the    tii  Ids.    an<l    hrin-int:    in    after    the 
InhorsMl   the  dav  a  h-ad  .,f  hricfht   vivacious  -iris  and 
\oullis;  their  dark  twe.  llashm-  and  their  well  tanned 


The    I'/.iguna's  Wurnitig. 


29 


du'ds?  olouin-  uliiK'  tlu-y  sin-  in  unison.  sonp:s  to 
which  ihc  s..tt  inuMcal  Ma-y;n-  tun-uo  \vuA>  an  added 
clKirin.  Trulv  a  iv^uul  -ccnc,  an  !  Mur  lliat  cnuM  he 
scTii  at  hurduMls  ,.1  the  dittVivut  villa^o  thn  .u.l^Il  mt 
tlic  t'LTiiU-  Ah'-ld.  in  th.-c  oi.niiiii:  years  ni  llie  six- 
tuT.ih  eriUury. 

As  llio  vMiui-  men  appn-ach.'d  i!ie  fannliuuse 
ccurlvanl.  wlneli  aiM-ca-d  t.-  answer  the  i.nri)ose  of 
viUa^a'  trvstin-  l>laee.  to  uhieh  the  v..un'j,er  l- dk  were 
I,,  Ik-  seen  .L;atherni-  rapid!),  l^w,  ^weel  and  ue.rd 
strains  ol  nmsic  could  Ik-  heard,  uhich  as  tliev  drew 
luarer.  l.ecaine  louder  an.l  wilhal  haviuL:  a  vi,L;oroUs 
aud  inspiring;-  note,  seeniini;  to  impel  to  euerijetic 
,„,,ti,,u  the  -roui.  of  villa-e  youth  and  mai.lens.  who 


were  l)usilv  eni;aKed  in  pcrtonnni- 


■^  the  "csardas  — 
ine\,ati"onardaiKV  of  the  Matiyar  po.ple.  Louder 
and  mure  impatient  became  tlie  strains,  which  two 
swarthy  lookiiiLr  men  and  a  raven  haired  ,i;irl  were 
drawin's;  forth  from  >pecies  of  rutle  L;uitars,  an<l  faster 
an.l  faster  tlew  the  hare  feet  .>f  the  ea,i;er  dancers, 
until  at  last  from  sheer  exhaustion  they  were  coin- 
p.lled  to  desist.  All  save  one  couple,  who  either 
from  having'  entered  the  circle  later  titan  their  com- 
rades, or  from  i^^reater  ]iower  of  eii'lurance,  w^-re 
enabled  to  maintain  the  rhythmical  and  .qracnul 
motion  for  some  time  loni^'er. 

Xubie  specimens  of  tlie  llunirarian  i)ea-ant  class 
were  these  two.  The  maiden,  just  bu.ldin-  into  con- 
scious womanhoo.l  with  a  face  of  more  than  average 
comeliness,  of  a  clear  thou-h  dark  complexion  deep- 
ened by  exposure  lu  the  weather:  the  om.icnance 


30 


l/uKl:i. 


lit  up  liv  wiiiiilrt'U^ly  rxpn-^^ivc  I'vcs ;  a  wi.'iltli  "I 
(lark  hair,  carefully  dn-sscl.  hroUi-lit  low  ovrr  ilio 
broad  iMrrlu'.Ml  aiiij  lii'I  iHliiml.  whilt-  in-joniously 
iMilwinul  in  il  wrro  various  l)ri.Ljlit  colored  specimens 
of  the  luxurious  llora  of  iliat  disirict.  A  h\'^\\  m-clvA 
white  linen  dress  wiili  einhroidercd  waist,  ^hoii 
sleeves  and  sliott  ;~kirt  coinpU'tcil  lur  co>tunu- — tlio 
feet  and  ankUs  hciui;  liari'.  A  u.ll  rounddl  I'l-ure, 
its  s\ninietry  enhanced  hy  ilu'  L;racelul  movements 
of  the  dance,  arrested  more  than  ])assing  notice  and 
caused  the  j,daiuH  ihc  sprcialor  to  nturn  again  and 
a.LCain.  'i'he  \ouih  uorc  the  u>ual  wide  linen  trousers 
and  ^liorl  coat  "i  ih..'  .M;i;^yar  peasant  class:  \n<  well- 
knit  Ira  I  lie  .■iin!  open  couiileiiaiice  al-'O  inakiiiL;'  a  i)K'as- 
iiiu;   Til: lire. 

\\  hen  tlie  two  yoiuig  men  drew  near,  the  patter  <  f 
the  bare  I'oi  it  upon  llie  smooth  earth  ceased  and  tlie 
handsome  i)air.  witli  breast ^  iKavin.^  ir. 'in  tlieir  exer- 
tiijiis.  dropped  back  amom;  their  fellow-,  tr.  mi  whotii 
an  appr....i;i.L;  >iioin  o,  ■' i'.ljeii !"  .ir..,-'-.  '!"iic  mn-ic 
coniinued  for  a  mimiie  or  two  b  .iim  r,  at  Kiii:th  d\  in.L,' 
out  in  ;i  loll-  weird,  wail.  Ke>peclfiil  salutations  were 
<'-iveii  to  Micli.-iil,  the  sou  of  the  Comes,  of  Mar^  t, 
and  the  tall  d.ark  stran.^er  who  acconiiianied  him, 
as  i1k\    joined   the   festive   i^roup. 

'•l)o  not  interrupt  the  dance,  I  pray.  We  abo 
would  enjo\  the  ]ilea-ures  of  the  Csardas,"  e.\cl;inued 
the  voun.i;'  Comes.  "Come  Izolda."  he  continued  ad- 
drcssinir  the  maiden,  who  still  llushed  from  her  e\<T- 
tions  st'.od  b\  :  "will  you  not  show  to  my  comrade, 
Don  Cardeiiio.  the  beauties  of  the  measure.'" 

•  Hurr.ih! 


The   'r/ie:in;i's    Warning. 


3» 


ruiv  w  II 


til. 


rt  .I'lv  ri->i>i>nsc.  ami  U'^  -li 


\v 


as  1< 


I'  prill 


~lu'  rcsU'il  li.r  'lands  li.i^litly  I'l 


)i  m  tiK- 


sIioiiMi  rs 


tlir   \ouiiL'  in 


:in.  \v!io  in  mtii   \va> 


siructcil  !•'  i)l;ui-  In^  u 
The  nin-u-  -^lartrd  \ 


the  wliiilr  as-i;'.ilil>    \\i' 


poll  luT  waist. 

])  cnci-  nior^'.  and  soon  almost 
n-  cnuaj^cil  in  pcrforniiir^  the 


varied  tr^ures  a 


nd  vihratiui;  niotion- 


if  tl.is  tascmat 


■ratiiiLC  dance,  save 


illtj   and    rMUK 

from    farm   and    \  ill  rj,f.   u  n< 


a  tew  oi  the  < 


IUts 


)  stood    l.Mikini,^   K'';'' 


111  or  c 


liatlt 


il  ;.'n.  Ill; 


tlieni>elves.     W'ildrr  .and  loud-T 


l)(.-eaine   the   >irain,   uli 
tlie  many  I'ect  nji"!!  the 


ilo   faster   and    ia-1^  '    i>alt'-re  I 
Dooih  and  hardened  earlli, 


as    \vi 


til    li 


er'htene 


iid     ll.i^hin;. 


ll 


le 


M 


a''\ar    \"iini    >e 


JMo  the  iil<;i-nre 


nil 
.1   tl 


,1   to    tln-ow    their    whole    sonls 


le   111 


iiir. 


W 


lell    tile 


revil  was 


ai   it-^  luiLdit.  tlu'  inline  eea-ecl  uitli  a 


the  niii-u-i.-ni'-  ei'innieiieec 
in^trnnieiits    aero--    their 


1  If  >  delihera 


llolll'U 


1,  .ud  era-h  and 
telv  -lillL;  tlie-r 
irators    to 


r-    prep 


dsin'.,'  tlieir  deparlnre.  uithoni  llu 


t 


to  I  lie  w 


-li-liie-t   re-'ar 


1 


lu  >  of  the  daiK-er-.  and  i>a\inL;-  ii' 


heed  to 


«1i 


rii 


itleaiinu 


p1  one  I  ir  tw  I 


.[  the  V"  piiir.r  .r  one-,  w 


ho 


died  np  .-Mid  iinpl'  red  that  they  remain  l-r  jn-i  oiu 


nvre  nu'asnre. 


.\s  tl 


le  lianec 


r-  pert'  'rce  l>a 


n-( 


d  t. 


)  re 


-t.  Cardeiii') 


tnrm-d    hi-    attention 


lo    the    three    nm-ieians    and 


1  their  stran,;,H'  appearance  wilh  intere>t. 


tn,arke( 

men   were   of   >h' 


T 


le 


,1,   wirv   trame.   wi 


ilexii'iis  ai 


1,1    iiiMved   with   a    somew 


thou 


oh  in  the  imtiil-  i  'f  their  ila 


rk 


ill   sw.arihy   com- 
hat    iiidiplent    air, 
tliere  Inrked 


e\e: 


a    pec 


liar  an 


1    .-ini>tcr   expression 


which   hinted 


lawlessness  and  cunniiu 


The  girl  was  possessed  vt 


■,*^^  ■ 


.u 


Izoltta. 


a  ci-naiii  w\k'  <<\  1.  auty,  wuh  lu-r  v.iwn  hair  an.l  A'K^ 
l/iack  (.'yes;  Imt  ilurr  was  link"  aUcr.ii.t  at  por>"nal 
ad..rnnKnt  an.l  lu  r  expression  \va>  en  iIk-  wIimIo 
iiK-liiKMl  ic  1h_-  iMrhiiMini;  despite  !ut  conu'line>s. 

"Wliat  manner  m|  peopl*^'  :"'^'  '''^■^^■•"  M"^'^'"*"'-''^ 
the  vnun-   t..re;i^ner  <>i  hi-  native  e<  MiipauK  >n. 

-Wliv:  kiH'U  von  iKit  -"  re>iiMnileil  -he,  tnrnniL;-  a 
snrpriseil  l..uk  upon  him.  -Th.-e  :ire  Tzi-anes  ut 
wlioni  there  are  inan.x  hereah-ut.  N-n  nuist  ..ndced 
he  a  Mran-er  to  onr  t'air  l!un-ar\.  li  thev  he  not 
known  to  xnn.  Thev  are  lar  ironi  Mranirers  to  r.> 
and  at  all  tmu-  reeeive  rea-Iy  v.eleome  troui  the 
MaC[>"ar  i)eople."' 

Ca'rdenioV  attention  was  divi.led  hetween  eurioiis 
uitere-t  in  the  inu>ieians  and  a.hinrati.m  of  the  villa-;--' 
helle.  as  she  spoke  with  ready  ease,  yet  Hninly,  her 
clear  musical  tones  lending  additional  luainx  t-  tli.- 
soft  Mai^yar  tonpie.  Jusl  then  the  K.^p-v  U"  I  "i:>''"-' 
as  thou-h  >-he  wouM  solicit  soinelhino  ironi  the  a'-;- 
srnihled  voiuh:  hut  one  of  tlir  Mien  inotione.l  her 
hack,  and  struhiyu'  up  to  the  voun-  C'or.ics  sjiok.'  hut 
the  one  quick  word  •■Soiikey"  (Cold),  in  an  alnio-t 
ineiiaciiii^-  tone.  Without  parlev  .Michael  clrew 
forth  ..  coin  aiul  dropped  it  into  hi^  hand-.  reni.-irkniLr 

as  lu 1  so.  that  tac^y   -eeni.'d  (|Uite  -p.triii;.'  of  tin  ir 

niu.>ic  tonii-ht  -i.ice  tlu  .l,i\liL;lit  \\a-  scarcelv  w;i:ied. 
-Xot  so."  wa-  the  replv;  "We  have  vet  in.air  wearv 
miles  to  tro  ere  we  reach  mir  hut."  .\n'l  tiuniii-'  to 
Don  (.'ard.nio.  he  repeate<l  that  -in-le  word  in  a 
still  more  pereinptorv  luaniu  r.  Th..-  \e.nn-  straui^-er 
followed    the     e.\ainple    of    his    friend,    niakin-    no 


'The   'I'/i^ana's   Warning. 


33 


c-  ■nmu'iit  aiii 


(.r 


:lan 


1  t!u'  >traii,^r  trio,  <lci;4nin;4  not  one  word 
il   lariwcll  to  any.  tnrnt'(l  alirnptly  away 


\M.'rc  so( 


m  lost   to  viiw  in  the 


:atlicrin<j  irlooin. 


W  Ink-  the  loaikr  ha. I  h<<n  i 


(Un 


SII 


iiakinLT  his  peremptory 
lanil  for  nionev.  however,  the  L^irl  ha'l  unnoiiced, 
lied  ni)  to  I/jiM;i  an.l  with  nuanniLr  look  bent  uj^on 


the  vouni;  I'ori'i.^ner  ai  her  side,  w  hi 
"i'.eware." 


.pLre'l  in  Uer  t  ar, 


•\\h\!     What    mean     von?'"    almost    .i^asp 


d     tl 


n>ti  nil 


>hed  maiden.      Ihit   wiih  an  in^-oleiit   laii-h,  tlu 


vp-v   tnnied  111    I'iii  h<r   eomjianions  as 


their  depaiinri 


lhr\-    took 


Miimij'  u' 


rl  slcjod 


a/ii 


aitrr 


the  s 


troll 


iim-  mns 


nil 
n  eal 


IS  to  ihe  reason 


icians  for  a  moment  or  two.  wonder- 
tor  this  ])eenliar  eonduet,   milil 
.|'  I  )(in  (."ardeiiii  >,  who 


t(  I  lu  tm  il  h\  the  voice 


w;'s  m;i 


kiiiL;  ilaliorate  adieiix  as  he  '    'ok  his  leavi 
to    which    she     in    turn    resixjiide.l     with     maidei 


ilv 


nil 


destv. 


Michael  Dobozy  spent  a  few  mimite-^  lon<;er  in  an 


attempt  at  converse  wit 


h   the  I  .Ider  men,  who   sto.n 


all'  nit  ;   Imt    ir.  nil   the   re 


he  restraint    maiiifestid   it    w.as   so 


evK 
tall 


lent    that    lluv    were   either   not    in    the   mood    tor 


iir  r 


,(■   JKid    otln-r   litisiness   m    mini 


ami    were 


aiiMi  It 


Is    fa-    h.im    to   he    Lioiie.    that    he    s,,iin    tnnie 


.a\\a\.    a 


iid   accdiniianied   li\    his    friend,    strode 


iff  in 


ih 


Ilia  elii  11  ( 


if  his  f.itlur  s  castle. 


assi-il  I  ill 


1   lit   hcariiiL;-,  nu-   \  illaij:e  <wmi'- 


hcrd.  -   a  man   in  thi'  pri 


me   of  life,   tall   and   stalwart, 


Init  of  no  \ery  I'leasin; 
clenched  han.l  and  shool- 
to  those  ahoni  him. 


Ci  limit  nance — raised     his 
it  after  them,  exclaiming 


,H 


tzolda. 


".\\.  lluTc  tiny  .l;m,  like  al!  llir'r  ki  1,  slcL'k  an.l 
w  cll-lattcnc'l  upMii  ihf.'  iniit-  nf  \,)ur  tnil  ai'jl  ni  iinne, 
lii'Mihcrs  !" 

"ll'ilil!  \\c  mure  caixi'uk  St.'iilu'ii."'  caiitionr.l  one 
of  till-  iikkr  nun;  "ii  is  imt  the  ]iart  of  wis'loni  to 
thus  wantniih  wa-te  words;  and  beside,  ih.ere  are 
uianv  worse  kird>  d"  the  land  thiin  the  Conir-  I.onis, 
wliile  llie  vouni;  Mieharl  lias  ever  shown  liinixlf 
friendU'  aliovo  comnion,  and  does  seem  even  anxions 
to  hi'h,)  the  iieasantrw  We  liave  S(^  frw  friends  that 
it  iU  heeonies  its  to  speak  li.^htly  of  such  as  we  liave." 

"Seek  not  to  trammel  my  sneecli,  Mattliias,"  hotly 
rejoined,  the  \omi!j:er  man.  "It  i>  l)eyond  my  knowl- 
edge how  von  can  contain  _\onrself  to  speak  se)  ealndy 
of  such  a  matter.  'i'he  yonuL;-  ('^'nus  may  ind.'.  il 
speak  fairly  and  softl_\ ,  hut  I  say  "trust  him  not."  <  >f  a 
certainty  he  hath  some  end  of  his  dwu  in  \  iew,  and 
(loos  1'Ut  strive  to  <^:\\n  our  coi-.tidrnce.  that  he  luay 
have  opjiortunitv  to  spy  upon  us  and  learn  wliat  he 
can.  in  onler  to  the  more  rcailily  clap  on  some  further 
tax,  and  sipiee/e  us  in  the  wa.y  th:it  will  yield  the 
i^i-i'ater  L^ain  to  his  ;dri'adv  oxxilh  i\\  in;;-  collers.  'hair 
of  f;ice  and  faKe  of  hc'art."  was  i'\er  the  wa\-  with 
these  leeches,  whose  i'\a  rv  thotiL;l!t  is  as  to  how  thrv 
can  drain  more  suhsta.nce  from  the  starviuL,'  and  toij- 
im;-  jie.asants,  who  ;ire  hecome  linle  ehe  hut  daves. 
ii>ie  are  we  hound  down  to  ihe  soil,  an!  compelled 
to  Irdior  the  whole  day  to  meet  the  exactions  of  these 
ravenous  l)easts— then  what  streu'^th  have  we  1<  ft 
t.>  toil  farther  for  iirovisi^n  for  our  families,  or  what 
desire    either    for   th.al    mail'T,    since    we    have   even 


The  T/igaiKi's  Warning. 


35 


srcii  the  l)r.-ail,  as  il  wire,  iihickcl  from  out  cur 
^tarvin-  children's  n-.<nuli-.  -nlv  to  1)e  wasted  in 
r\oU,u>  hvin-?  Why.  >  i  the  her.l  1  siuiid  niv  .lav. 
in  watchini;,  lull  ihree-luurlhs  are  already  destined 
tM  meet  the  extorli'Uis  ni  thi;-,  same  Cniius  ndu  sjieak 
of  as  so  tjenrr.viis.  'I'lie  <lav  cannot  come  too  soon 
f.  .1-  us  to  be  delivered  Ir.  mi  these  tyrants,— and  I  tell 
von,  hrothers."  he  added  in  a  lower  key.  "thv  Iixuil; 
uf  that  dav  rests  with  ourselves." 

I^eej)  murmurs  of  a|>i)roval  greeted  ihi^  outhurst  of 
the  swineherd.  proeeedin.Li  inairdy  Ir.  mi  the  \(iuni;er 
men,  thoui;h  un  'Vr  than  one  of  the  okkr  head-  iniL^ht 
he  seen  to  ii'.d  in  approval.  I'mt  this  war,  ^o.jh 
silencccl  as   Maiihias  rej'inied. 

••Come.  Stephen.  1  !a\c  a  care  as  to  what  yon  sav. 
Even  thon::;h  these  thini;s  he  true  a-  \ou  sav.  yet  are 
yon  in.akinp;  them  no  better  by  \  "Ur  v:nn  eonvplamts. 
v^hi.uld  '.our  wild  talk  cmie  to  unfriendly  ears.  >our 
Cdudilion  and  tli;it  of  all  of  us  wi  mid  soon  become 
far  WMfse.  \<n\  Vm^w  full  well  thai  here  are  tlvse, 
who  try  to  better  their  own  state  by  P])yin,L;  upon 
others  and  carr\int;  idle  reports  to  th.e  nobles.  I 
know  of  iiMiie  such  in  our  own  \  il!aL,a- :  but  it  is  the 
course  of  ,1  wi-r  man  1"  be  can  lul  .in  1  U"t  let  his 
toiii^iie  run  hi-  head,  into  a  iiooxr.  ' 

These  words  ha^l  a  soberin;^  elYect  upon  the  -roup; 
lut  the  p.-is<iiin;ite  swim  herd  was  tn.  >  much  excited 
to  listen  to  cooler  coim-el,  and  once  more  commenced 
to  liaram^ne  alnrnt  the  wrinv^s  df  the  jieasant  class 
and  to  m.ake  all  sorts  of  wild  threats  as  to  what  would 


M'l""  -' 


IV. A  mend.     It  was  <juiie 


36 


Izolda. 


tvi.lcnt  that  something  unusual  had  liai>lHMU.l  to  so 
undulv  arouse  this  man,  who  thuu-li  naturally  of  a 
rca.:v'tMnj,Mie.  vet  sd  '  .in  cxrrci^ed  it  in  that  faslnon. 
During  the  discussion  the  younger  people,  nnpatient 
ol  thi^  -rax-r  talk,  had  l.v  two.  and  threes  scattered, 
until  none  save  C-al.riel  uh.e  vouth  who  with  I/.olda 
ha<l  made  ^uch  a  i>leasnig  picture),  n-nianied.  Tie 
stood  l.stemtt-  att.ntiv.lv  to  tlu-  exchcd  swut-dierd, 
who.    1,1.    i.assion    at     leu-th    ri.MUg    to    a    climax, 

t'xclainiid: 

-ihit     se    ar.'    coxNard.!    coward-,    a'l !      And    like 
uhipiK-d  curs  instead  oi  s,andin-  for  vour  n-lu.  like 
„KMi,   choose    ratlur   to    cnmch    at    the    i-et    ot    vour 
masters,     and     receiNc     uneomplainimdv     anv^  fresh 
wrong  thev  care  to  heap  upon  vou.  v.liile  you  fear  to 
speak  ahove  a   u lumper  le.t   some  i^reater  evil  hefall 
vou  at  their  hands     Yes.     Cowards  are  ye  all.  say  I, 
aud  all  unworthv  ,,1  the  ancient  M.a-yar  r;ice  ye  claim 
to  be.     Not  so  is  Stephen  the  swineherd;  f  r  T  wdl 
speak  mv  thou-hts.  and  what  matter  if  some  do  carrv 
it  to  the  e.ars  e,f  the  Comes  and  he  visit  me  with  his 
,|ispKasure:^     ^-nrely  I  can  he  no  worse  ,,ff  th.n  mnv. 
-daves  are  we  in  all  hut  name,  and  death  ii-^elf  cn,i 
l,e  no  wor.e  than  such  a  life."     And  Mvin-in-  himself 
awav   from    his   auditors,   the   ant;Tv   man    strode   off 
toward  hi^  ossn  poor  cottage  at  the  other  end  of  the 

villa-e. 

The  group  quicklv  ,li.persed  and  .•;.  thev  separatcl, 
r.ahriel  turned  to  follow  in  the  foe-tste].^  -  f  the  re- 
treaiin-  swineherd,,  hut  more  lei^urelv.  Intent  upon 
Itim  own  ihonuhis.  he  had  almost  nm  into  some  one 


The  Tzigana's  Warning. 


37 


apijroaclnni;    troin    tl 


he    onposilc   direction,   when    a 


MCO 


^tartlc'i  liiin  an 


,1  looking  up  ho  saw 


h\< 


consul 


1/. 


a,  rcturiun 


ir  from  havuig  w 


•alked  to  the  village 


with  some  < 


.f  luT  girl  companions 


'Where   away   to   now 


Cahriei:^     What    can   the 


matter 


h 


to-nu 


ht?     h'irst    1    am    almost 


trodden 


UIK 


Icr  toot  by  Stei 


,hrn  the  swineherd,  whom   1   tuet 


l.nt  n.nv  rushing  along,  trmlteru 


.r  to  himself  and  with 


III .  eve  to  see 


ir  me.  who 


had  hut  time  to  step  aside, 


Inle 


he  11 


d  like  a  summ 


r's  hurricane 


and  now 


im  ahi  lUt  tl  1 


he  treated  in  ihr  same 


who    wi. 


re   hut    ni 


lartm.r  m 


tl 


K-  csar< 


fashion  hv  yon, 
to   have   me   for   a 
las.      W  hat   has  hapi>ened  to  set 


so    anxions 


you  both  hy  the  ears  so 
"I  scarce  can  tell,'    ret 


,lied  the  vouih  hesita 


tingh 


"To  tell  trui 


h   1  was  minded  to  follow 


on  ti>  Stephen's 


hut 
stil! 


an 


.!  havi 

t  1)e:-id( 


inverse  wi 


I  will  return 


■  some  CO 
him-elf,  it  can 
with  \oii." 


th  him;  hut   if  he  is 
therefore 


he  of  little  use 


T.nt  w 


hat  is  it  that  has  cr'-issec 


1  the  swineherd  so 


and  w 


hv  should  vou  to 


illow  him?"  persisted  the  girl. 


'1   know  not. 


'i'he  visit   ot 


the  voung  nobles  to- 


nig 


ht  1 


lias  lu 


■tiled  him,  but  there  mus 


St  have  been  other 


cause    to    rouse 
haranguing   the   v 


him 
ill 


n. 


in 


t    now    has    been 


ill.auers    a 


about    the   wrongs   ot   the 


V 


•asant: 


uid    their   oppression 


bv   tile   nobles:   anc 


as    much    o 


f   what    he    said   soum 


\V(. 


11  wi 


di  n 


A 


mv 


iwn 


thou 


tempted  to  visi 
That   perhaps  w 


t  him  to  talk  more  a 


viole 


ere  not  too  wi.-e 
are 


Is   true    and   agrees 
;lUs  of  late,   I  was 
bout  the  matter. 
-ince  he  seems  a 


nt  man.  and  if  wrongs 


to  be  righted,  the 


.^*^ 


l/oldil. 


ta^-k    sur<-lv    neols    to    1)l-    un  Irrtakrii    1)\    (.-■mi!    ar.d 
caution-  1k':>.<Is,  ratlRT  than  -licli  tircliraiid.;  as  lu'.  ' 

"What  thMii.t^lils  arc  tho-c  > ' 'U  -pcal^  nf,  Cahricl  ?" 
in(|uirc.i  tlic  inai'h  as  they  aj^ain  rcaclu-'l  the  sciiic 
t)t  the  (laiiciii.i;  an^l  jiauscd  a  t'l'w  nionicnts  Uefori' 
enti-Tini::  tlu-  lannhousi.'.  "VDn  sjH'ak  as  S(/.vinnl> 
a,.  tlii>u,L;h  sonic  L;rcat  r\  il  lia<l  ln-fallcn,  and — since 
\nu  s]H-ak  of  it  —  1  liave  noticed  thai  yon,  sccin  of  kite, 
not  so  io\ons  and  hi^ht-licartcd  as  of  old.  Tell  nie 
I  prav  von  wlial  it  is  all  ahont." 

••Would  that  1  conld  te!'.  \  on  all  niv  thon-hts  on 
this,  Izolda.  (  )l  late  as  I  have  heen  out  in  the  fields 
or  watchin;,^  the  llock,  heinij  much  alone,  all  sorts  of 
new  feelini;s  and  fancies  have  couie  to  nie,  the  kernel 
of  which  seems  to  he  thai  i  feel  I  am  a  mon  and  as 
stich,  l)e,<,dn  to  (luesiiou  why  1.  with  my  father  and 
so  manv  others,  sh,  mid  have  t'  i  lahor  and  til!  the  soil, 
carl-.-  and  late,  in  the  hroilin.tj  snn  or  driviiiL:  rain,  for 
wearv  months,  .-md  then,  when  tlu-  fruit  of  our  toil 
doth  show-  itself,  we  mnst  t,Mther  it  in— not  to  enrich 
ourselves  as  the  just  rec<inipen';e  of  uur  exertions, 
but  for  other  mei.,  (who  seem  to  !)'•  no  more  i.  ci 
than  \^e  he)  while  we  ar^  K  ft  but  enon;^ii  oidv  to  kec',) 
scAiI  and  hodv  topether — and  scarcely  that  at  times. 
Siirelv  Cod  made  not  the  world  thus.  He  i^ave  me  a 
soul  as  well  as  life:  and  am  not  1  then  every  whit  as 
much  a  »;<;;/  as  th<.»se  two  who  a  short  hour  since 
were  with  us  here?  \'et  must  we  bow  and  himibly 
stand  aside  to  wait  their  pleasure,  as  those  of  no 
consideration,  wdiile  thev  do  nothin.s^  but  idle  away 
the  days  and  spend  their  nights  in  rioting  and  drink- 


The  Tzi^ana's  Warning. 


39 


incr,  siK'n^in-  that  v.hicli  uc  have  x\.,rkc.l  to  -athcr 
l,.r  thcin.      l)-c>   it    not    ^.cni  wron-  tliat   they   who 
v.oi-k  and  tM,l  >hMuM  ha\e  ->  httle,  while  thev  u  lio 
,lo  nolhin-  receive  nuu-h,  an.l  must  needs  waste  an<l 
s-iuander  in  order  f.  dnumish  their  ahundance .'    W  liv 
is  it  that  it   I.  i-ereiiaiiee.  am  horn  in  vonder  castle,  I 
am  w.aifd  ni)on.  wear  tine  clMthinsir.  am  snrfeited  with 
the  S'owd  things  of  litV  and  am  altooethcr  treated  as 
one  much  above  the  common   herd,:  while  if,  as 
,!id   hai^i-en,   1    am   horn   in   my   fa'oier's   poor   farm 
h..use.  I  am  tan-ht  from  infancy  to  labor  and  to  know 
that  there  are  those  above  me  who  expect  my  serv- 
ice>,  and  1,,  for  the  privilege  of  living  and  of  workintr 
?,)  much  of  the  soil,  must   -;urrender  to  tliese  great 
ones  nearlv   all   tliat   the   soil  can  pro.lnce— keeping 
back  lor  mv.eh-  onlv  the  smallest  portion,  which  small 
portion  mav  be  even  more  reduced,  do  I  hapj^en  to 
till  the  soil  over  which  one  wields  sway  who  is  more 
i^M-eedv  and  a\aricious  than  his  fell'>w>.'  ' 
'"  -Wliv  C.abriel!      1  thought  mv  Uncle  Oregorv  was 
considered  as  one  to  be  envied  his  possessions!^  Yet 
you  speak  as  though  he  and  you  were  beggars." 

"And  ^o  he  is  to  be  envie<l.  as  iieasants  go.  T.ut 
had  he  but  his  fair  share  of  what  he  has  toiled  f.,r.  he 
.VMuld.  be  a  rich  man.  Instead  he  has  been  robbed 
of  all  but  livelihood  by  these  gra>ping  an.l  grinding 

nobles."  ,, 

-lln^h.  Cabriel.     I  like  not  to  hear  yon  talk  so, 
broke  in  his  cousin.     "The  Creat  God  surelv  knows 
what  is  best:  and  he  has  made  the  world  so.     The 
].riest   I'elician,  di.l  but  Sunday  remhul  some  of  us, 


40 


v.oKia. 


whi'in  lie  tlioti^lit  woro  tO'>  ji^aily  dockin.::;  oiir^clvc-, 
that  ii".  nuuii  tnnT\-  wns  nut  bccoiniiiL;  l"  tli*' 
luasant  i;irl>.  i'.m,],  hr  said  had  g'nvu  n-  iiriiiC''^, 
II  i)U  s.  tlu'  •;'rrL;y  and  tlir  :H'a>aiilry  :  and  caidi  ^li.  iiil  1 
he  oi)ntc!:t  in  lii>  M\'n  splurr,  tint  tr\iiii;  Im  cm].\-  iir 
iiitnido  u]i'  m  iim  itli^  i ." 

"'I'liai  may  \ir  all  tnir  <-ii>  >ul;1i,"  rrt'iricd  tlu-  \')Uili. 
"Tiiat  tiirrc  arc  difttTont  classes,  ii  U'.tiM  lu'  l'. idish 
to  dciiv  :  Imt  what  1  (■a.'in..t  understand  and  what  I  (h) 
not  lu'licve  tliat  <'iiid  iniuidcd.  i<.  that  one  cla-^ — the 
pea-ants — should  hear  all  the  linr^leus,  while  all  the 
re-.t  L^o  \vrc.  and  luu  -pend  their  euer^it  s  in  adding 
to  the  linr.len>  <<{  that  ullier  one.  I  )n,  s  the  kinuf 
need  tU'  're  ni'  mey  fur  his  palaces  or  lo  ])a\'  iiis  troMj)s  ? 
— a  iredi  tax  ujion  ihr  ]>ea>aiU>  i>  imposed.  1 1'  the 
n  ihle>  find  their  Cutter-  rnnninj.;  low  li\  reason  ( ,f 
then'  ceasides,-  caron-inc;-  ihey  nin-1  make  t're-h 
exacti"!!-;  from  the  ihkh-  tjIK-r-  of  the  -oil.  The  >amc 
with  ;he  prie-ts:  when  the  idnirch  reij'iire-  mnnev  - 
to  tht^  pea-a;it-  the\  aKo  cnme.  nui]  do  coerce  tis  hy 
hoIdiuL;'  up  the  terror-  of  the  I'mih-'s  di^plea-ure,  do 
wo  dare  to  c<  >m]d;iin  I" 

■■riahriel.  {"la'.riel!"  remonstrated  his  companiM-i, 
'd'.o  careful  wha.t  you  say.  .\t  Ka-t  sav  notliin',,'- 
against  the  lIoK    l-'athrrs."' 

'"I  care  ii'.;.  h  i>  tin.  inu  nd  whv  sliould  1  fear 
to  speak  it?  I  have  lu'ard  one  talk  not  long  since. 
\'.lio  said  that  as  e\en  Je-u-  Illmsedi  was  called  the 
'Carpenter's  Son,'  ainl  went  ak- 'Ut  amom:  tlu> 
comtnon  people,  ever  la'iorin;:;  to  help  them  and 
curing  their  diseases,  so  if  He  were  now  on  earth, 


1 


The   T/i^.ui.t's    \V;irriiiig. 


4» 


\vni;M  lie  \i-ii  til.-  ]u  asaiits  ami  slri\r  i"  lid;)  ilicni. 
\lv  lau-hl  tli.il  all  nicii  wvrv  f(|nal  aii'l  s,.  all  men 
sliDiiM  lio  v'\\\a\  imw:  aivl  a-  lu'  pf' lolaiiiu-il  a^^aiiist 
tlu'  |iric'-.i>  tli(  n.  sii  \\(iuM  lie  im\v.  sjikt  tluy  aii'l  mir 
nilt  rs  aiT  hronu'  i-\<  ii  uor^r  than  urri'  tin-  priest;; 
aiii!  rn!tr<  of  tlu'  Irw-.  That  is  M)nK'tliiiij;  1  know 
iml  iiiucli  alM.iit  ;  I'lii  such  talk  seonis  reasonable  ami 
these  tliMU-his  will  cMiie  ami  eha-^e  each  Mtli.T 
throULrh  ni\-  liraiii.  'lav  at'ter  (la\,  till  I  am  fain  to 
he'lcve  thai  v., me  (la\,  there  will  he  a  reek' )ninL,',  ami 
ill,  t  a  terrilile  "Uv  i^r  r-mw  mie." 

■.\'ii,  X'liI  Sa\  iiiiihiiii,'  niiire  <<\  that.  L^mxl 
Gabriel."  eritM  the  -irl.  '■(  )li  I  It  wouM  be  terrible 
(lid  anviiiie  hear  von  talk  tliu-. — \\  hat  wa^  that  ,"  she 
exel;:inie(l.  turniii;^^  in  the  direetidii  ni  -nine  bn>hes  ; 
"1    tlinii^ht    I    luard  MJUiethim;  niow'  there.' 

"li  is  uiithiiiL;."  res|>i  iri'led  the  youmr  man,  "Von 
are  ner\iins  lo-iiic^lit,  Iz'iMa."' 

"I'l  rhaps  1  am,  but  1  \'!t  the  same  ^IraiiLre  feeliiii:: 
jn^t  thill,  a--  1  'h'l  uhm  th.n  1';'iL;ana  ^irl  spnke  in 
mv  ear  ami  1  ■  .bed  <<>  (|uerrlv  at  me  after  the  dance 
with  the  >tranL:er.  the  ("onus  Miehaid  broni^ht. 
(.''ime,  let  ns  l;ii  in."  and  the  two  entered  the  low 
da.rk  doorwav  tML;r'ther.  \>  tln'v  di-;i])i>eared,  a 
tenure  ani-e  froin  ludiind  the  bu'~lie~  clisi^  to  where 
tliev  h.ad  stood,  atid  the  same  tjypsy  pirl.  who  had 
been  iireseiit  at  the  d.ance,  or  one  stransjtdy  like  her, 
ine)vcd  auav  stealthily  and  vanished  in  the  gloom. 


42 


I/ulda. 


cnAi'Ti-:R  ir. 


A   TKRRini.F    FXrF.RTEXCF.. 


W'itli  Iiis  conii>aiiii>n  (.'nnK-nio  do  Gaul,  >ricliac'l 
strolled  liMsurclv  alnii^.  c'njnyin,i;  to  the  full  tho 
Ijcautic's  of  the  calm  sumnior  cn  euin,!^. 

"Willi,  and  what  are  the-e  >traii.L;-o  pcnplo  miu  call 
'Tzip;-anc--  ■  ami  \vlui\-  cnme  they  fnnii :"  asked 
Cardenio;  'I  have  uaiiderol  much  about  in  ditterent 
lands,  but  never  did  I  until  to-ni,tj^ht  see  such  oild 
nnisicians.  L'nmannerly  Iimhu'Is,  tno:  I  was  in  much 
wonder,  Mieh.ael,  that  \cu  did  not  fell  the  impudent 
lout  to  the  earth,  when  he  came  and  demanded 
larcfcss  in  such  fa^hinn." 

■■(  >h.  Andreas  i',  ik^  >tranc:cr  to  nie."  laui^^hinj^Iv 
res[)Mnded  the  xoiuic:  Cnnies,  '•and  I  have  quite  t^iitteii 
used  to  hi>  surly  \va\s.  As  f<ir  knockincf  him  d-nvn 
for  his  impudence,  that  wmild  make  him  ik.i  more 
civil;  and  beside  he  wnultl  be  sure  to  treasure  uj)  the 
1)1m\v,  iiir  which  if  he  liad  not  opportunity  to  S(iuare 
the  account  himself,  some  of  his  people  wnuld  be 
certain  to  do  it  for  him,  and  in  no  pleasant  way  either. 
It  i-  plain  that  the  Tzi£;-anes  are  stran^rers  to  \i)u  or 
\ou  would  scarce  advise  such  treatment.  They  are 
harmless  enoufjh  if  you  let  them  alone  and  be  careful 
not  to  leave  much  of  value  lying-  within  their  reach." 


A  TriiiMf   Ivxpcrifncc. 


43 


"Arc  tlierc  many  of  thcin  licrcabuut,  or  do  they 
inhabit  some  one  part  of  tlie  land?" 

"Xo.  Tliere  arc  not  a  jjreat  nun''  r  of  tluni  near 
Marot.  i"  tlic  N,  ,i;ili  anil  cas.  ,yarlicularly  in 
Transylvania,  ihcy  arc  more  numerous.  When  you 
visit  the  X'ayvode  of  that  principality  you  may  perhaps 
find  oi)])ortunity  of  ohscivinij  them,  though  in  no 
place  do  they  gather  together  in  great  nnniI)ors. 
Andreas  claims  to  he  a  prince  among  his  own  people, 
and  that  black-cycd  daughter  of  his  will  ever  speak  of 
him  as  though  he  were  the  ruler  of  a  great  nation. 
If  you  could  get  iiini  {>>  talk,  he  winM  doubtless  tell 
you  most  solemnly,  that  he  and  his  people  are  under 
penance  imposed  by  the  Pope,  to  wander  about  the 
world  in  punislmieiit  for  having  in  their  own  country 
twice  apostati/rd  luid'T  the  iK-rsnadiiig  intluence  of 
Turkish  <cinirii.!>.  wiicn  tlmsi'  infidi'ls  overran  tlie 
land.  .Andrra^  i^  a  sly  rogue,  but  hunc-t  and  faithfid 
in  his  own  way.  If  you  care  to  listen  1  will  tell  you 
what   I  l^nMW  >  if  liiin. 

"\'ears  ago,  wlu'ii  1  was  bnt  a  I. id,  wliiK'  with  mv 
father  on  one  of  lii>  fri'(iuent  visits  to  tin-  \  awode 
of  Transylvania.  I  c:iine  up'.n  this  wandi-rrr  in  the 
fdfi'st  wlicre  lu'  had  (.-staljlishcd  lii^  ean.ip.  not  far 
from  the  oa^t'c.  .V  eiiriMU>  i'ni'Ui;li  ahndc  it  was, 
half  tent  and  half  bowiT  made  out  of  tattered  rags 
and  boughs  of  trees.  His  wife,  who  had  at  her  breast 
a  babe. — probably  tlie  same  dark-eyed  girl  who  is 
with  hini  now — and  half  a  dozen  starved  looking 
dogs,  were  his  companions.  The  dav  was  raw  and 
cold ;  nevertheless  he  lav  idlv  beneath  a  tree    twang- 


44 


1/  >M,K 


iiijtf  a  ruilf  liar])  ami  ■^iiiijiiii;  Mitlu-lv  to  Iiiiii.-^'.'ll,  nj)- 
I)arontly  (|iiito  content  uiili  In>  Im|,  wlnli'  lli.-  woinaii 
croudicd  ovi-r  a  sinokitij;  tire  of  sticks  at  i!u  mtraiico 
of  tlio  hut.  strivint;  to  ktvp  luT'^flt  ami  halic  frnin 
frtrzinj,'.  Tlie  clnj^s  ru^Iuil  irn  uinn-K  t'.itli  a-  I 
tirrw  iK-ar  ami  would,  j  vorily  hclK'sr,  iia\r  turn  uir 
liml)  irniu  Iinil).  had  the  Tzi.^ani  not  inttrffU'd  a!  1 
catchuiLj  uj)  a  hu,i;c  stick,  hclali'ircd  tlu m  Mnuidiv 
until  they  drew  snarlin^dy  away.  1  thanked  him  and 
(juickly  withdrew.  i;lad  tu  ])Mt  a  '-.aie  i!i>tanci'  h.  tweni 
myself  and  such  ravenous  heasts,  ili"ni;li  1  was  loath 
to  depart  without  havinj,'  had  a  hetter  hmk  at  h's 
camp,  ahout  which  there  was  a  certain  wild  pictur- 
exH'a'ne.-'-, —  ilio'iidi  I  dMiihiid  me  U' .t  that  there  was 
heneath  the  ^urt.ice  a  fair  share  of  misery  aNi.  Th.it 
this  was  true,  1  h.id  ;miple  i)ri>Ml'  upun  ;i  lati  r  dav.  ;is 
yiiu  slitlj  presentK-  hear. 

"That  niL;ht  it  snnwnl,  and  as  it  snnwed  the  wind 
rose  to  a  j.'-ale.  which  l.a^lu  I  and  rnanil  al)M"t  the 
castle  w.alls  and  shrieked  ahove  t!ie  hi^h  hattleinents. 
as  thi>UL,-h  leijions  of  tieiuls  wiic  ]inr-ninu;'  <i\]v  an- 
I'tlier  aninnL;-  it^  many  turrets.  .\  nii^ht  to  m.akc  mu; 
shiver  and  draw  his  mantle  tiiditer  a^  he  edited  nv  ire 
closely  to  tlie  tire,  which  huriied  in  the  creal  h.ill,  and 
mutter  a  prayer  for  the  hel.-iti'd  traveler  uIm  w-inld 
find  himself  overtaken  in  that  .awful  teinpet,  while 
dark  mistyivinie^s  came  to  more  than  <<vv  n.i  ■  1  of  t!ie 
prucsome  finds  which  would  he  made  hv  hird\  w-md- 
cutters  in  the  siif-np;-.  as  thev  passed  the  spot  wdiere 
some  huc::e  winter's  drift  has  had  its  jjrim  secrets 
laid   bare  hy  the   meltinjr  beams  of  the   strengthened 


A  'rcrnlili    l:\pcricnce. 


45 


S'.in.  Ever  ar.'l  an-n  a  iin-litirr  I'la-^t  uuli  Imu'er 
liouliiifrs  wi.nl.l  sliakc  iIk-  casilc  fnnn  it-  <luii^'.-oiis 
iipwanl  until  it  rockt-d  a.t,'ain.  and  sceniod  as  thoiiph 
to  cmc  cia'-hini,'  in  ruins  abcmt  <nir  luaK.  1  Iivn 
([uict  wouM  pnvaii  a  si)acc  till  one  woul.l  >;.\v  that 
tho  fiirv  of  tlu'  Kalt-'  was  surely  spent.  an<l  all  wduld 
think  he  indeed  must  he  rit,dit.  wlun  witli  a  cra-h 
and  dcattnin.;,'  uppiar  iikr  war  engines  sudd'.-nlv  let 
Uxjsc,  it  rose  ajjain.  shaking  and  hatterinir  the  hu;.;e 
pile  until  you  would  have  deolare<l  that  wc  were  in  the 
throes  of  the  most  dire  assault  that  ever  fortress  was 
eailrd  fijiun  to  hravc  It  was  as  thoujih  ten  tl.i-u^ind 
and  ten  tliou^aml  m>rc  sava.Lce  warriors  of  the 
Turkidi  hordes,  with  their  wild  rallying:  cries,  were 
advancing  on  the  place  and  striving  to  scale  the  giddy 
heights  of  those  hi.L;h  hattlemcnts.  v.hile  i)  >lts  from 
six  score  battering  ram--  and  I  elching  cannons  hailed 
upon  the  roofs. 

"The  wild  night  i).-.ssr<l  at  la'^t  and  morning  broke 
with  smiling  sun,  wlurh  In.krd  up-n  a  daz/ling  scene. 
riu'  sui.w  was  hire  and  there  and  every wdierc,  cover- 
i-g  all  things  with  its  whitening  folds.  High  u])  upon 
the  castle  walls  'twas  plashed  like  tlir  uliite  f'>am 
which  a  gre.at  wave  throws  skyward  when  u  hrriks 
li.wirliss  at  tlie  foot  of  some  grand  rock.  a. id  loath 
lo  accept  ilefeat  climbs  u])  and  ever  ;  vard  in  vain 
attempt   to  perch   its   silvery  crest    up  m   tli-.-  Ijimw   of 


the    conquering    cliff. 


wa^ 


m     cverv 


,nd 
crevice.  Mil  (■'■rr-.  br.-iuch  and  twig,  piled  high  in  roof 
and  walls  a'.vl  in  each  dnorw.av,  whi'c  window ^  were 
all   lost  to  sight   in  one   dazzling,   sparkling,   shining 


40 


I 


/oUlil. 


rn\)C  of  whiteness.  The  ;,i'r  ivas  sh;irp  fui.l  crisp  willi 
fros'  so  tliat  tiic  hrcakiii;^'  <  i  a  1)raiich  uinlcr  its  loail 
of  siidw  in  iho  ilcpths  of  tli'.'  forrst  sotindcl  Inud  and 
clear  as  th.ni-h  close  at  liaii.l.  i'.iu  t!iuu.i;!i  the  si-ht 
was  L:h>ri(ius,  yet  had  it  a  i;Tiin  side,  for  all  siirht  nr 
trace  cf  mads  was  Inst  mid  many  of  the  jioor  peasants 
in  their  liiile  huts  were  broULrht  nii;h  to  death,  and 
and  s>.nie  e'en  ta-ied  it,  ihrdii-h  lack  i>i  fnoij  and 
impotence  to  hreak  their  -now  e  harrier^,  l-'or  f\w 
loll--  da_\s  we  were  as  tluniL;h  i)elea^-r.'red,  and  ihon-ii 
tniieh  was  done  to  clear  an<l  hn^ak  the  hi'^hwa'.s,  vet 
we  saw  lion Ldn  of  tiie  onisi.a-  world  for  all  that  space. 
'  )ii  the  sixth  niorii  report  was  made  of  soinethiiit; 
niovinL:'  near  to  the  (  d-e  of  llie  forest  sonie  distance 
olt,  and  all  \\ere  ea;;er  to  know  what  it  conld  he. 
Sotiie  thert'  were  ready  to  declare  that  'twas  a  man 
striving;  to  oain  the  ca>tle,  while  others  more  conll- 
detillv  .aft'rnied  that  a  hiiLje  hear  di-tnrhed  in  his 
wiiiter's  sleep  hv  the  frolic  of  the  hlast,  h;id,  come 
prowlin--  f.  .rth  to  learn  the  cmsc  of  his  niolestiiiLT. 
We  watched  a  while  nntil  ilie  moving;  shape  was  lost 
to  sii;ht  anioiiL;  the  drifts,  and  soon  to  onr  renieni- 
hrance.  At  noon,  howevir.  a  hiL^h  hank  of  snow 
l-nrst  suddetd;,  throtii^h.  and  there  came  rolliiiL;'  inte) 
the  space  ik av  cleari'd  ahont  the  castle's  kitcln-n  door- 
way, a  Txiij-ana  clutchin,:^^  lirnily  in  his  arms  a  hnndle, 
which  t!ioii'4ii  he  now  was  almost  (|uile  lureft  of  sense 
;ind  .slreiii^th.  he  still  hin^i^ed  cioselv  to  him  and 
stmnMint,'  an^l  falling,'  dr;ii;-i;ed  his  wearied  frame 
williiii  the  entrance.  The  servants  of  the  \;i\vode's 
li'  usehold,  g;rown  fat  and  sleek  with  much  of  feastin;/ 


A  TcrriMc   l^'xpcricnce. 


47 


aii'l  little  WMi-k,  \vi"-(.'  wrll  prinKnl  ior  horseplay  and 
Irrati  il  liiiii  not  yeiitl} . 

"  •(  )ut  el  Ikto,"  cricil  cnc. 

•••I'm   leave  the  luimlle."  qimtli  aiiotlier. 

••     "I'is  iKi  plaee  lor  Tziganes,'  ealle.l  a  third,  while 
a  fiiurth  sh'>meil. 

•••\\r'll    ilintw    him    hack    inti>    the    sncnv    mound 
aL;ain,  fur  our  emertainmeut.' 

••'I'his  la>i  caught  lav)r  and  a  rush  was  made  at  the 
]i(ior  Andreas — for  he  it  was — who  answerincr  never 
a  V  ord,  put  his  hack  a,L;"aiust  the  door  ]iosl  anil  draw- 
in--  a  Iveen  hlade,  while  he  still  kept  firm  L;rip  of  his 
jireeious  bundle,  made  rtady  to  receive  them.  I  his 
they  were  not  so  ready  for  and  on.e  a.nd  all  stoj^ped 
short,  each  waitin;;'  for  the  other  to  i;o  in, — like 
kenn.  1  du^js  <if  no  hunting;-  hreed,  who  snap  and  snarl 
so  luu,c;  as  cpiarry  shows  th.c  hei  Is,  hut  draw  off  and 
whine  in  terror  when  he  shous  his  fan;j;s.  What 
mi:;ht  have  happi  ned  I  cannot  tell;  hut  ;tt  that 
mumeiu  1,  who  had  heen  roamiuL,'  throUL;h  ami 
throuL^h  the  castle  liio^e  ('idl  da\s  U'-.i  kmiwinq;  u'hat 
1m  do,  heariiiL',  the  hr.hhul)  .as  I  passed  the  stair,  came 
down  to  see  what  made  tne  stir,  and  when  1  saw  the 
purpart  "!  it,  sternly  h.ade  them  ce.ase.  They,  all 
.grateful  for  the  chance  in  cover  their  retreat,  oheye  1 
(|U!ckl\  and  now  ;ill  strove  to  m.akt'  him  welcome.  I  le 
came  clo^e  to  the  firrpkace  and  there  ilisclc-ed  Ins 
lu.i.k  which  w;is  indeed  mo^t  ])itiful.  .\  little  li.ahe 
Well  wraj'ped  in  ra'^s,  \ai  l.lue  with  C(dd,  the  co]>y  ..f 
a   cor-e    la\    there.     'Twas    1"I1l,^  Ijcfore    we   knew    if 


48 


I/oKla. 


auplit  of  tlic  spark  r.f  life  rnr.niiicd.  but  so  it  was  that 
after  a  tiiiii-  ^lit  ilul  rr\i\i',  a..'!  lit'r  was  >a\'.'l. 

■'  I'dor  Andreas'  t;:lr.  It  wa-  a  li'tcr  oin-.  Tlu' 
w.M  lnirrK-a!U'  as  it  s\\c]it  alini-  luni  lilnwii  his  y.,:,\- 
slu'ltcr  (li.ui!  ahdut  their  In  ads:  hut  wiih  ii'P.Ji 
siru.i^i^hii.L:  thr\  liad  (.■n'-t;  i\ed  to  keep  a  Imu^h  i.r 
two  al)Mve  tlicin.  wiiicli  ihi  >:;m\v  ciiveriii;^  had  t'lnir.  d 
a  rave,  when.-  tliev  wer(.'  imt  sn  hMpek'>s  until  the 
]>aiiL:s  (if  hunger — \\hieh  f' ^r  a  time  tlie\  ajiuea'-ed  h^ 
the  sacrifice  df  i 'iie  lean  dd^,  v,  hu  ha«l  remained  with 
tlieni — had.  added  lu  tluir  \v<>'-^.  i  >n  ih.e  sixth  in.ir:i- 
iiii^  lif  their  imjii  is. lunieril,  thi-  partner  nl  his  w.mder- 
ins.'^s  and  the  imuher  nf  iii-  diiiil  lav  Ct  .Id  in  .|e;ttli.  an.l 
lie  in  desiieratii.ii  then  liad  hr.  .ken  f.trth,  expectmL; 
iiothui!,'  hettt'r  th.in  the  same  fate,  \  et  hraved  t.) 
make  (lue  vii^  'Vi  f'>r  tlie  lit'e  of  t'lis.  hi  >  i  liild. 

"  As  soon  as  it  was  ])racticahle.  the  1  /i^.^'ana  re- 
trrned  to  lmr\  t!ie  1m. .I\-  ..f  Irs  dea.l  sjiD'.ise  an<l  !. 
wild  felt  no  small  svnipathv,  wuit  with  him  to  lend 
'■.  iiat  aid  1  mii^iit.  Since  th.at  dav  he  has  often  cr.  isscd 
mv  p.ath.  and  tliou,L;h  he  d.  .I's  ever  seem  siirh,  a'ld 
i.,ru;T  I  if  sinTch  as  he  wa.s  to-niL;ht.  \  et  tun  1  vain 
ciUMi-h  t'.  helie\e  th.it  t"  d.i  me  ;i  re.al  srr\  ice  h' 
woid.l  he  well  pleas. ■.!  .!id  the  chance  hiit  c- une  m 
his  WAV.  Tlu-  father  ..f  the  .L;irl  l/.'l.la  \\ith  wli'.m  \-eii 
dance. 1  insi  n..w'.  :ii  .  .ne  time  t..dk  in  and  s'H-..-fiied 
him  wh.il  he  was  with  his  rlnM  was  \m.11  ni^h  d.  ,ne  to 
death  hv  waiil.in  mitlaws,  in  t!;e  hills  near  \<>  the 
Turkish  hi.r.lcrs:  and  mure  than  ..nee  since  ilu-n  have 
An.lreas  .an.l  his  dauL;hter  shown  lh.it  the_\  arc  \u>{ 
unuratclul   f.  ^r  his  mcrcv." 


A  Tcrrihle  i'.xpcrience.  49 


lu'   ^  ]>anii 


inl    sliiiuoil    inore   interest   at   this   last 


miiark-    tlian    lie    IkhI    (.  xiiKivril    d 


iriiiLT   the    recital 


'<{    Mieharl's    tiarrai/,'-.    and    (|!U'-ti' nird    him: 

"Willi   tlun    and    ulial    is   this   darkdiaired    viila,i;e 
hrauiN  ''      She  ^eeuieil   indi'ed   no  coinnioii   maid,  hut 

I  ler  stej)   and 


hath  a  h' arinj;  t'ar  ahow  lur  eh'.> 
earria,i;i-  111  tlmi  im-aMirc  was  nfar.  airiiu'ss  and  i^race, 
whieh  \V''uM  nial<e  eiui'ais  i'\en  si  ipu'  of  our  seiioras 
ol    lair    (.'aslilf.      Siie    looks    not    oiio    of    the    peasant 


""lis  w  hisiHTed,"  responded  the  yomiL^  Conu'S, 
"that  tlure  tlows  in  her  \ein>  the  jir^  iidest  Mood  of 
.all  llumja.rN.     Tlu'  mother  of  tlu-  Lnrl,  some  sa\,  was 


the  <lan"hter  of   Matthias  C"or 


vmus,   tiR'    'M-eate'st    ot 


Mag_\\ar  kinL;s,  hy  a  sini'dt.'  maiden  of  surpassiiu;- 
l)eant\,  who  iiu't  oft  with  lirr  unknown  lover  h\- 
the  sHii'  of  I  lanulie  opiiosite  to  his  ^ay  eastle  of  X'isi-- 
{.■[r.id.  until  haxiuLT  K'arned  h\'  ehaiKX'  of  the  exalted 
rank  of  her  Iomt  she  went   era/ed  witli   trrror,  and 


ina< 


father 


le  an  end  of  lifi'  hy  ]dnn!;i:i;^  into  ilu'  ri\-er.      Ih 


rs  a  ]>oMr  L;t'ntK-man  of  Transylvania,  a  retaiiu-r 
(<f  the  \  avvoiK'  from  wlioni  he  has  indeed  a  small 
castle,  wliieji,  howi  \  ar.  lu'  has  not  the  nu-ans  to  main- 
tain. The  maiil,  his  d;in;;hter,  he  hrouL,dit  h.ither  to 
his  sist,  !-'s  h(inu'  wlun  lur  mother  dird  some  \c-;trs 
i;i  ine  1)\ ." 

"llo!  1|m1  My  Michael.  Then  \ou  also  take 
example  h_\  'o  )m-  ,L;ri;it  and  wisr  rider,  and  dei;.,;n  to 
turn  asid.f  from  the  ujjiter  w.alks  to  dallv  with  a 
\i!la^;r  maid"  1  hl.ame  \ou  not.  ni\'  friend,  hut  the 
rather  would  hear  testimon\   that   \our  artistic  taste 


so 


I/oUhi. 


liaih  l>v  n..  nuan-;  i^laycil  yni  false.  I  woi,!.'  indecl 
tlial  I  iniL'Jit  tim!  tavr  in  tlu'  (.'vcs  of  one  so  rvj,:i\. 
e'niiK'.  is  llurr  !i"!  .'notjirr  MU-h  hcautv  in  ymi  haniKt, 
yon  conM  Ii'kI  ;m  .  uilli  whom  1  nn^hl  while  away  a 
i\-w  of  the  i'lle  hour-,  h-htlv,  while  yon  are  ->  hn-ilv 
iMi-a:^v.!  with  ihal  ;n>ir-s  hrnsh  of  ViUirs.  (  >ne  who 
woiiM  wax  ira-ie  wlu^n  1  ha.l  .Irnnken  my  till  an.l 
the  hour  of  -oparatiou  eamr,  wouM  hnt  a'M  :Kest  to 
the  I'iav.  What  -av  v-u:^  Can  vou  -uit  niv  taste 
without  -aeriliein.L;  your  own  h.^aiUv,  which  I  .lare  n(.)l 
ask:-" 

Miehavl  iKanl  lum  onl  impatien'ly. 
■•Xa\  !  .\ay:"  ]'.c  erie^l,  "hclie\e  me,  you  mistake 
au'l  do  hoth  th-  'anisel  and  my-r!f  inin>tiee  l>y  ^nch 
suspicious:  and  >  ou  ma\-  he  as-urcd  that  >  ou  will  in 
uo  wi-e  tind  our  la-asaiit  maid,s  so  li,L;ht  of  virtue  as 
\  ( lu  now  -rt.nl  \i  I  fancy. 

With  a  shru--  and  an  incredulous  smile  at  the  >  ounjj^ 
man's  w.arnnh,  Pou  Card.'uio  made  i'r..fuso 
apolo-H's  and  the  two  entered  the  castle  -ates 
to'H-ther. 


CHAF'TF.R   III. 


A    l'.AI'l*I.i:i)    CAI.l.ANT. 

Lilvc  many  aiiutluT  xoniia;  paiiUcr,  MicIkuI  holiMzy 
wa^  an  rntiiusia-t.  I'lrd  wiili  a  ciTiain  ^pecii^  (if 
r(.'liL;ii)us  zeal  in  lii-  ari,  l)Mrn  <it  a  slnirt  ri-sjdiMuv 
in  Italy  amid  all  tin.'  stirriui^  intlni.'nc<.'s  ''f  tin.'  Ucnais- 
sancc,  and  feeling  lliat  he  alM)  slmrdd  ])r'>ducc  <>;\c 
of  the  faces  so  jireNalent  n])on  the  crnnas  of  tl:e 
Iieriod.  he  ha<l  hei.'ome  inlmeil  wiili  ilie  de.--ire  lo 
paint  a  Magdalene.  l'"or  >'inie  time  he  had  I'l-eii 
lookinj:;  ahont  him  fi.r  a  tiiocKl  -nitahle  for  so  im|)or- 
tant  an  imdertakinu;',  hut  withonl  snecess,  nntil  one 
(lay  he  had  l)elhonL;'ii  him  of  ihe  little  pea-^ant  maid, 
who  in  his  bo\hoo(l  da\s  had  cfttinies  hi'en  his  Com- 
panion in  ramhles  anions  ihe  forests  and  streams  of 
far  off  'PransN 'vania  and,  in  later  \ear-.  ahont  the 
n'eadows  in  the  \icinity  of  hi^  father'^  i-asile.  Well 
did  he  rememlier  how  he  had  ever  expressed  tiie 
fullest  cmilidence  in  hi:-  ahilitx  to  jirotcct  her  fr(i]n 
any  anil  e\'ery  danL;('i  -  his  lonr  \i.ar>  --enioriix'  ^eem- 
lUij;  to  her  childish  mind  to  male  h.im  a  mo.-,i  \alor,.'ns 
champion.  lie  had  not  _\et  seen  her  since  his  relr.rii 
frmn  Rome;  hnt  she  ha.d  to  hi^  hoei-h  ideas  I'eea 
pretty  in  tin  ise  da\s,  and  w  h.  >  knew  luit  that  she  miq-ht 
have  gri.iwn  into  a  heautiliil  woman.      He  wonld  know 


1,. 


C2  I/ol(la. 

at  nnci',  so  fortlnvitli  ^1  ..ut  fur  \hc  Imnu'  .-f  tlu'  nncK 
with  whom  .he  lia.l  .hvdt.  On  tin-  uay  thither  he 
met  the  object  nf  lii.  ^eareh.  an.l  wa-  fain  to  acknowl- 
edge to  himself  that  she  surpassed  hi.  utmost  ex- 
pectations. Here  indee,!  was  the  oue  nmst  futed 
to  be  the  center  of  the  picture,  which  he  fondly  hop.d 
was  to  take  him  with  rapid  strides  into  a  hii;!!  niche 
of  the  temple  of  fame.  Not  tliat  he  wa>  shallow  and 
vaint^lorious.  for  he  loved  his  art  for  its  own  sake 
alone:  but  like  all  in  youth  he  wa>  ambitions  and 
sanguine  of  ,>-uccess. 

Izolda  Di'izsa  was  perhaps  not  the  ideal  of  what  the 
majority  of  painters  would  have  clio>eii  for  a  Ma:^- 
dalene:  but  there  was  a  certain  indescribable  tin-c  of 
melanch<',y  and  a  soulful,  yearmn-  exjiresvion  about 
her  features  in  repise,  wliicli  more  than  compensated 
l,,r  any  sliL;lu  defects  of  form  or  carriaij;e.  Full  of 
his  theme,  the  arti-^t  at  once  bro.-icbed  the  su1)jc':t, 
with    the    same    masterful    settiuL;-    a-ide    of    lur 


and 

i.bjections.  which  had  marked  their  intercourse  in 
childhood  days,  had  (juickly  v^iunvA  her  dMisent  and 
arranged  for  rcLrular  sittinqs.  These  were  to  be  m 
the  open  air,  for  after  all  Michael  was  far  more  of  a 
lan<l>cape,  than  a  iiMrtniit  i)iiiner,  and  proposed 
havini;  a  considerable  back-round  to  his  central 
fiL'ure.  It  occurred  to  him,  that  to  show  the  face 
of  his  Mas<lalene  in  strou;.^r  relief,  with  the  sombre 
setting  of  the  dark  masses  of  the  I'.akonyer  Wald,  as 
they  appeared  in  the  ravs  of  tlie  declining  sun,  would 
be  uni(iue.  He  acco>-,bn.Ld  .■  scU'Cted  a  sp  .t  \\])<>n  the 
outskirts    of    the    village   on    the    side    farther    from 


A    i^i^i'lkvl   (i.dlanr. 


5.? 


lii>  fallur's  r:. .-:!'•  an  1  tin-  f.r-^t  >itlin;;  was  {<>  [ah^ 
|ilaci.'  (Ill  tl-  ■  ,-'  'u  ••nn  Ml  f.  '11'  iwii'j;  his  vi>il  to  the  villa;;e 
(lancr  w  ill'   1  ''  m  '  'ii  ''a-iu'  k 

A-  lu'  w  >  n  K  1  his  \\:\\  In  tlir  ai'pMintc.l  plar;'  tliat 
afitTiii  >' Ml.  .\!i^.-ha'.  1  ^  artistic  ivc  luraiin'  cnra;Hiirr  I 
V.  iili  llie  spiuili'.l  vi(.'\v  '-;irca'l  "ut  hrl'Mn-  liis  v's'vi. 
Tlio  ra\s  (i|  tJK'  .U-rliiii;;,:;  sun  ihrcw  into  str.Mf.;  r^  hi  f 
tlu'  f;cMs  "I  \va\in'^^  .^~niii,  whicli  strrtclu''!  in  t:  'lU-n 
1)i11mu'^  aua\'  to  tlu"  <li-t  .;  liorizon,  tlit-rf  at  1 '.--t  to 
l)n'ak  at  tlic  toot  of  tiic  sciitiiicl  hills,  whil  •  what 
mi'^ht  haw  hoc  -.•.".o  iv.  -."'ony  was  l>roKen  I'irc  a;i  1 
tlurc  Iiv  patches  of  1  ]\v  hnsliv's — of  trees  ili'.  --e  were 
noil'.'  or  liv  c;  roll  is  <.f  1  -.v^y  [peasantry  enL;:r'e:l  in 
cniiini;  the  ripened  ear-  ;  for  the  work'  of  ^rither'n'.;'  in 
the  luMcitifnl  harvest  Iial  already  he.Ljun.  Truly  an 
id,;al  ])astoral  scene:  ami  no  woiu'er  that  the  yontiL:; 
man  st'io(l  wrajiped  in  adnniration  within  a  rod  (iv 
1  wo  of  his  destination,  and  hecanie  ([uito  ohlivious 
of  the  oliject  wliich  had  l)r(Mi':ht  hiin  h.ither.  lie 
wotil  1  prohal)lv  have  reniaineil  jo-t  in  meditation  t:!! 
darknos  fell.  l;a  1  he  not  preseiitlv  been  rudely 
awakened  from  his  day  dreamiipq-  l)y  a  i)iercin;; 
scream,  which  rau'Lj  out  close  l)eside  him. 

True  to  her  jH-'Mni^e,  Iz'dla  had  reached  the  ap- 
pointed sjiot  some  few  minutes  previous  to  the 
coniiip^f  of  Mich;iei.  and  had  thrown  Ih'rself  down 
he-ide  a  cluni])  of  h.uslu'S  to  await  the  arrival  of  the 
artist  and  to  arranire  her  toilet  as  nearly  as  ]iossi!)lc 
accorihiiL;"  to  h.is  directi  -us.  ^du•  sliook  out  the  lieavy 
masses  of  her  ahundant  tre--es,  released  Iier  em 
l.roidered  waist  at  the  neck,  kiyin^  bare  the  purity  cf 


54 


Izc.Kh'.. 


a  dclicati'  tlirnat,  atid  tlii>  <l'iiii-,  ri'cliiied  at  I'asi'.  a 
ti'inptin^  l)ii.-tiuc  (.■\in  I'^r  an  iniarli^tic  i.'\i.'  niu'  wmiM 
liazanl.  And  mi  u  ]>ri)',  rd;  !"m|' a>  '-In.-  in-'^an  tn  ,L;riiw 
iiiipatii'nt  at  tlu-  d^la\  'if  the  \"un;^'  Ciinir>,  a  sliadmv 
K  11  upciu  the  s^rass,  and  a>  nIk'  lnoke'd  nji,  ^lic  jut- 
ccivrd  that  a  >tranL;ri-  had  api'T' larlud  fruni  ilu' 
oi)I)i)^<itc  diri'iMiim.  'S  1 1  ni^t  a  -^trani^xT  altM^rtlur. 
as  a  second  iL^lancr  as--nia'd  lirf,  whrn  ^ln'  n-CMLcnixid 
llu'  viuni'^''  Sjianiard,  who  had  accompanied  Michrud 
the  ]»ri,-\ions  fxenini;:  and  hot  an,L;cr  rose  within  her 
at  the  painter  at  this  aitjiarent  esddencc-  of  his  laclv  of 
delicacx.  in  l)rin,<j^ini:j  this  j-traiiL^er  as  a  spectator  of 
hi-  work,  with  her  as  model — a  rtsi.'iitnient  which 
increa^t-d  as  she  noted  the  hold  stare  of  admiration 
with  which  he  reijjarded  her.  She  sjiran.i;  liastil\-  to 
her  feit  and  l)lu<hin<^  the  while,  endeavored  to  re- 
fa-ten  her  disarranc^ed  neckwear;  Init  he  stro\e  to 
restrain  Iter,  speakin;,^  with  ins.iU-nt   assnrance. 

"Xay,  nay,  fair  charmer,  ijo  not  so  (piickly  seek 
to  Conceal  tlu-  Ix-anties  which  enchant  me.  It  yrii'ves 
nie  that  yon  have  forsaken  that  posture  of  invitinijj 
repose,  llad  yon  known  of  my  coming:;,  1  shenild 
certainly  have  thonL,dit  that  yon  aw;iited  nie  :  Init  if  it 
w,is  for  another,  why  shouM  I  he  jealous?  .\m  not 
1  here  first  ^  And  I  ll.itter  me  th.at  my  societ\-  for  an 
liour  will  he  as  pkasrint  as  that  of  your  rustic  swain. 
Come,  let  ns  recline  at  ease  while  we  ha\e  conver.-e," 
and  h.e  laiii  a  con.strainini,^  hand  ni)on  her  arm. 

.'"'lie  s|ir;niL:  hack  and  sto.id  re;^ardi!i:^'  him  indi,^- 
nanth,  with  llashim^  eyes  and  clenched  haiuls. 

"So    T     have    displeased    the     Scnora.      flow    uh' 


A    Buttle  J   (lallant. 


55 


f.iitun;iti'  am  I.  l'i;i\  parilon  nir  and  how  I  can 
ii  -aiii  MUir  t'avur.  Il  surd}  is  not  niv  fault  tliat  ywr 
loViT  (Iclavs  his  d  iiiiini;- :  ami  1  \\<iul>t  j^ladlv  make 
:inuni!>  t'^r  his  nr-Kot  hy  lnir,^'  .ImuUIv  cnti.Ttaimn'4. 
('.'iiii.',  mv  sutct  ])artiHr  '<\  llu-  o^ar.las,  ^rant  nu- 
1-iii  c.nt-  ki,->,  and  i  will  siii  .;■  m  mi  a  \n\v  .-"n-  d'  lau' 
C'.iMiK'  >ni,-h  as  li;is  r;ivi>lu'';  tin-  hrarts  <ii'  many  nMJ.lc 
l,i<lir'-  lit  that  sunny  land  ;"  and  with  iiiiimdi-m  as-,nr- 
i\ucv  he  niado  to  ]ias;  lti>  arm  almut  her  wai>t.  I'.ut 
I/.il<l;i  waited  ni)t  fur  hi^  oinlirace,  instead  lurninj^-  to 
tier.  With  an  oath  he  spran.L,^  after  iter  atid  caut,dit 
lur  hv  the  wrist.  Il  was  tlu  n  that  the  fr;;,ditened  v:\r\ 
^a\e  V'lici  to  the  sereams  which  so  siar'led  Michael. 
and  strikim,'  mil  niadl_\-  with  her  free  hand  she  struck 
him  S(iuarel_\-  in  ihc  face  with  her  clenched  fist,  to  such 
sjood  purpose  as  to  cut  oprn  hi-  lip.  Iniashinv:  his 
teeth  the  now  infnriated  nihian  ilrupped  her  arm  and 
sei/.ed  her  Ii  mse  hair  with  Imth  hamls.  swin.Lrin.Lj  her 
savaL;'el\  to  tlio  j^rotmd.  What  further  viwlence  he 
inii^ht  have  heeti  i^inlty  of  was  at  th.at  moment  frus- 
trated l>v  .Michael,  who  came  crashintx  thr.ni^h  ihc 
lui^hi'S  and,  with  a  hound  to  the  side  of  ihe  cnwardly 
hound,  i^ave  him  a  hulYet  which  stretched  him  full 
lentjth  ni^on  the  earth  and  made  his  head  rin'.,--  a.^-ain. 
"What  infamy  is  this,  de  Caul?"  he  demanded 
anL;rilv.  to  which  (lueslion  the  S])aniard  answered  nul 
a  wiird,  but  made  several  ineffectual  atlemins  to  rise. 
I.eavin;;  him  to  recover  iiimself  as  hest  he  mi.Ljht. 
.\licli;iel  turned,  his  atlentiim  to  the  frightened  ^irl, 
who  f. iriunalely  had  not  heeii  injured  Ijy  her  roUL^h 
treatment. 


56 


I/oKla. 


'■\\Ii,u  iiu'aiis  il  all,  Iz"Ma''"  lie  (|ncstiMiu  <1  witli 
imirli  .^■ilicitU'lr,  as  lu'  as^i^ti '1  lur  t')  ri>f.  "Arc 
von  liuri  "■'  \\Til\-,  if  >'>  inr.Ji  a^  a  M.Tatrli.  tliat 
wrrtch  shall  i>i\   ilrarl)    \>>\-  \\." 

'I'lir  mai'Kn's  rli.rk^  ucio  all  alla-iu-  with  niiiiL;lc  1 
shanu'  aiii!  ii)ili!^iiatiMn,  as  with  (lnwiica-t  <■  cs  ami 
hi'avini;  lirrast.  she  an-wcri.l  hi^  (.■!l'|ni^i^  s  in  ilu'  nc-- 
ali\c  anil  sai>l  ln-ictly,  that  she  knrw  n^  t  what  it 
nifant  I'xrc])!  th -t  ,-;s  slv  awaitnl  his  c  niinL;.  ihis 
fricn'l  of  hi->  I. a  I  in.i'..-lrl  lur.  'i'lu'  xotm-'  artist 
tnrncM  in  the  il: recti' mi  c:;'  ihc  rci-nnilHait  ijallant.  hnt 
that  w'lrihv  ha^i  'It.il:';!''!  hiin-clf  t^  hi-  feet  anl  was 
11. iw  (li-crrri1\  with.lra\vin'^\  As  Michael  tn.nii"!, 
h'iwc\(r,  \\r  nia'lc  him  an  i'.\ai:L:erat(.'  1  huw;.  aivi  sii'l 
in  a  iiH'ainnL;  t<iiu'  whirh  hnm-ht  the  hut  tears  int  ) 
the  i'\('s  iif  the  alreaih   nineh  'li-tresseil  y'\v\. 

"A  tlvin-anil  par.luns,  SeniT  Mieliael.  I  jxTceivc 
that  I  have  nnwittin^U-  encmaelie'l  nium  Mmr  ]ire- 
serves,  n.  it  withstainlin:^'-  venn"  ileniais  dl  last  ni.i;ht," 
anil  wi'iji  a  wave  nf  lii-  iian^l  departed. 

Mirhael  t^,  ,k  a  ipiiek  steji  nr  two  f'lrw.ird  a^  th'm-h 
tn  fnlldw  him.  -t'lpjied  irresi.jnte  fnr  a  i^ninimt  nv 
two,  and  then  went  haek  to  the  side  of  the  coward's 
victim. 

"It  sjrieves  me  mneh.  l/olda.  that  you  sh mid  h.avo 
met  with  sncli  treatment  nt  tlu'  liands  of  one  who  is 
a  so  called  friend  of  mine,  anil  while  yon  had  come 
forth  in  resiionse  to  my  reiniest.  I  \\onld  that  T 
conld  nndo  the  hajipcnin.crs  of  the  last  half  honr :  1)Ut 
tlv'd-;  n.it  to<)  serion-lv  of  ihi'  m.atfer.  ]]>'  is  hnt  ,m 
idle   va.t;ahond,   and    talked   of   leavin.i;   us   tomorrow, 


A    Haltkel   Callaiit. 


57 


uliicli  he  will  <\><  ii'iu  "f  a  siint\,  \<>u  will  liavo 
-;r.ill  <l^^i^^■  iMw  \'>r  an\  l>(l^i^L;,  w<v  'a\i'  I  an\  tnr 
paiiitin:,'.  1  will  fiiM  walk  Imiiic  with  yi>!i  .iinl  will 
tlu'ii  seek  out  m\  I'allirr  .ui'l  ai-.pi.unt  liini  witli  \hc 
charai'tiT  of  lii>  ^iic-^t  :  I'^r  L;i;<-'t  nt  lii>  i-  In,  i.it'ur 
tliaii   t'liiii'l  "t   niinc,  siiur    I    likeil   him   iMt    \T<nu   l!ic 

tn>t." 

In  MKnrc  tin-  ,L;irl  walked  with  hmi  t^  th.-  silla.i^i', 
aii'l  a-  tlu'\  n.hhf'l  the  I'a'.h  which  \v'\  up  Im  Iht 
mu-le's  (lour.  ha-U-  iiim  a  luicf  l;..' Mlni-ht.  Iln'  hil- 
tU'il  Spanianl  ivranwhiU',  a-  h''  --lunk  away  li-im  tlio 
scone  iif  hi>  ild'cat.  tnri"''l  iimic  than  'ana'  t'lunril 
wIkit  It'  ciiM  (li>tiiii;ui-li  the  Iwn  niMxiiv^  Ir^j'-re^. 
ami  rai-iiiL;  his  eUiulinl  hand  inultrrtil  hctwren  his 
t.-rlh  : 

"Wait  1)111  a  little  while,  niv  L^a}'  X'Uiui;  ('dUMi.  \n\\ 
will  liiid  it  was  no  li-hl  thin-  to  strike  ('anUnio  de 
<ianl.  Ife  will  repa\  an  luuidred  fold.  \'ea.  even 
In  ilie  infernal  world  itself  wouM  he  follow  an  etieniy, 
ar.d  once  in  liis  power  even  the  ininishinents  meted 
(,!it  1)\-  the  (irand  In.|uisitor.  Saint  Dominic,  \\\l\  he 
as  nothin.<:  to  the  venq;eaiice  of  de  I  .aid. 

Izolda  jiaiised  at  tlie  thres!iold  (^f  l!ie  farmh),i:-e 
and  looke<l  acros>  the  iilain  to  where  the  >t,,':\'.a'-t 
l"orni  of  the  ar.ist  could  l)e  seen  stridin;^--  houiewar'. 
then  fixed  her  f;a7.e  uiion  the  distant  sky,  wliere  the 
reflected  ra\s  of  the  now  hidden  sun  touched  iin  the 
fragments  of  the  la/y  clouds,  chisterin.t,'-  ai)"Ut  the 
nionntnin  lirow  in  a  heautifnl  medlev  of  color  in 
which  rose  tints  predoniinai< '1.  h'cr  some  nii'.ntes 
die  continued   to   t;a/e   with   a   f-r  away   look   in   her 


58 


eves,  until  t 


ll\rl"    ,11 


ho  C'>lur  f.i.U'l  int..  L^Tcyiicss ;  tlicn  with  a 
.1   .1   (K'l])   ■^iL;h.   slif   went    in    witli    \hc   air  -if 


nnrrnu'iil    nl    al 


that 


(inc  \\M'.  ha'l  jnM  nui'U-  a  i->  n<  >nnrrnu-i 
llio  uorM  licM  -loar.  An.l  cmuLI  \vr  hnl  rra.l  iur 
inmost  thuit'hts,  wo  \\.»nM  linl  that  Mmuilnni;  uf 
that  natnir  \\a^  indrcd  taking;  |ilacc. 

■■  \l"l.  r   all    her  cuiisin   ( iahri.  1   niu^t   hr   riLjlit."   sli-- 
nui^oil.      ^lu'  ua^  ill. iko.l  (liiwn  nj..  .n  a->  nnl\    a  i)eas- 
ant  £;irl  :  an.l  tlir  |ira-ant>  ha.l  n.i  ri-ht^.     Thov  were 
of  a  <lilY(i>nt  clas    fn.ni  tho  noIiK  >.  an.l  wa-ro  alLiwal 
to  exist   MuroK    that   tlioy   niiL^hl    >irvc   tlu-o   .L;roatir 
ones.      ]'.\'U     the     vnnnL,^     (.'unu^     Mioliarl     hinisolf, 
ihi.n-h   111-  appiaia-.l    s.i   kiii'l   and    ro-mii-.l   tlio   in-iilt 
tho  Sj.amar.l  i.t"t\ro.l  hor.   \  ot   \va<  a   t'ricn.l  ami  o.  .ni- 
p.iiiiiin    i.t'    thi-    -.aiiio    rntVian,    an.l    doiihtlo^-    a>    iho 
dastard   --ai.l    in   i)artin,i,\   \\a-   anm-o.l   iirinoipall)    ho- 
oan-o    li.'    t'l.nnd    am.ilur    tri'-]ia>>ini;    wluro    ho    o.mi- 
-idon-.l   that    ho  had   tho  pri.ir   ri-ht.      h   i>loa-,.l   Inni 
in-t  11.. w  t.i  troat  hor  kin.ll\   and  wall,  hooan^o  ho  ha.l 
ooitain  j.laiis   noo.lini;  hor  aid.      Sho   roniomhorod  now 
h.iw   .  ..ntulontlv  ho  had  olaimr.l  hor  sorvioi-s  a>  ni"d<  1 
fi.r   his  llaintinl,^   a   oimlidonoo   uhioli    sla-   had    t.ni.llv 
Iina,;.;inod  wa.s  1)nt  a  o.intinnanoo  (if  his  nl.l  tinio  h. .visli 
froodnm  :  hut   n..\v   sho  cnuld   jilainlv   soo  that  ho  hnt 
i-xoroisoil  his  rii^dit  to  Command  ono  of  hor  clas.s.      It 
would    havr   hron    just    tho   saiTiO,   had   his    tastt-  hap- 
IKMicd    to    I'lx    np..!!     sMino    oihor    villa.<;o    mail.     T  f  o 
would    lio   L:,a\    and    L'.onorous    whilo    slic   iiloasod   him; 
hn     wlnii    his    un.lortakiUL;-    was    fuiishod,    or    liid    sho 
cross  liini,    sin-    v,-..uM    ho    ihan,!^^  a.^ilo   as    li.-luly    and 
with  as  litllo  tli..u,L;ht  as  tlio  hlados  of  grass  ho  crushoJ 


A    lijitled   (;.ill;mt. 


59 


in 


nhiiikinijlv   iiu'lrr   li!>   Icct   a>   lu'   sh-hK-   acms:- 


mcaui  A\ . 


\\\ll. 


m;c    I 


iiu>t   r(.>ii,'n  IktmIi   Id  t;iko  Iut 


ilaci'  wlnrc  >lu'  licl(.ni;i'.!, — anmn.ur  tin-  i 


)ii.  ir.   (U>iii>i.'' 


laiiiK'n   I"   attract    I'lr   a 


]K'a.saiU   mirls,    uli.  di'l   lln>    Ua 
soasi'U   tlir   ikitiiij;  attention   of   (.nc   d    tin-   Ic^rds  of 
tlu-  laml,  11111-1   '"•■■  <!iitifiilly  i-lva^'l  Uk'u:  at.  l)ask  in 
tlic  Mir.sliiiK'  wliili'  it   Ia>ti-.l  aii'l  \>v  iMiitfiit   prrscnlly 
to  he  to^sf.l  asi'le  a>  tlu'  iim-Io-->  -km   fioni  ulii.li  llie 
lirit  li.i-  licrii  siH-kid.      No  mattd"  tliat  lur  IkmiI  IkmI 
lianl    at    llir   Inttcr    tliou  ;1il,    wliiU'   Ikt    -j.int    .vlR'lle.l 
liullv   witliin   iuT  aii'i  enc'l  out  in   a  \iiy   aL;ony  that 
the   Co.!    above    >     elv    .h^l    not    .Ksi-n    "r   apj-rove   of 
Mich    a    .!ivi>i"ii    of    lu>    erralun'-.      No    matter    tliat 
inii;-iii-e    ami    enicUv     seenieil    iml    weak"    woi'.U    with 
whi.'ii    to    eonilenin    ^uch    coii.lition-.      >noIi    \va>    the 
Ihnii^ariaii    ]iea>ani'-    k't  ;    aibl    in    tlie    word-    of    ihc 
vilki-e   prie-t.   which    >he  luel   kill   ki-t    in-lit    -o   -liiilv 
ri'iuatei!    to   k' r   cou-in    (.akiitl,    tliey    ^houl  1    >cek    to 
he  eouteiit  Willi   tluir  lot.      I'm  nin-t   it  e\ar  he  thu^.'' 
Mu-t    n.i'ii    ami    u  )mA!i    wiili    feelii!L:<.    with    desires, 
with  hrain>,  with  snals.  eoiuiiuie  to  li\e  and  dw  in  ■Jiis 
kiw    estate?     The    th"UL;ht     was    mad<lei;inL;-,     so    she 
would  cease  to  think  of  it  ;  and  as  for  Michael  and  his 
forei.LTii  com;  anion,  she  must   Mi-i\e  to  hlol  lliem  al-o 
from  he'-  mmd.      \'A  try  as  s|u'  would,  '-he  coukl  not 
sci'in   to   fore  licrself  to  forsake  the   many   --.■•.therin^' 
memories  of  thos<-  childhood   da\-.   when   she  and  the 
V(ning  painter  had  rfimiied  ar<l  made  iiurry  to;4i'tlier. 
amon<:j  the  hills  and   valleys  of   f.ar  off  'i'raiisv  Ivama, 
ere    her    inother's    I'eath.,    after    whiidi    she    had    hn-n 
l)i(nv'ht  bv  her  hoartd)roken   father  to  live  here  with 


r.o 


I/(.U1; 


]iis   >i>lvr.   win 


lii', 


lir   wmt    ii;u' 


li;u'k    to  lii--   l.ilirh-   InMllc   tn 


(iiT.w  n   iii>  •■  ivv.  '\\    a- 


1k~i   lie  nii'jii 


t,     'I'l 


I'l-i-  wcro   in- 


<lool 


li,ipp\    ii.i\  >,  an 


1  >lic  wMiiM  that   llii.'\-  \V(,M\'  liai"! 


■ain.      .  A   aiiv   i 


ate,   ulr.    -liiinl'l   >lir  ii"t   ln'   iNirk 


that    tlrar  oKl   h'  \m 


Wa^  it    ii"i   hiT  ih'.ty   {■>  (licrr 
k 


I    liiat    talluT    wliM^c    kniMlv     iMfi     slu'    sm 


ami    cm 'I  1 

l',,n,!lv  nni.  tiih.Tt-.i;-'  Wliat  wa^  iho  iiirainnt;-  n\ 
th..M-  w-i.Is  lu'  lia<l  s;<"kfn,  as  hv  \c\\  Iut  wc.-pi"?:  ^' 
]]<■]■  •.UH-Ic'-  iloir.  tiiat  C'i!<'  M'lrni)  (ki_\  uhcii  ihcv 
])ai  It'll. 

■■\\i'   hravc.    -.wfi    I/'. Ma.    aiul    -h-uM    it    hv    tliat    ! 
,],,  liMt  M(    \'<\\  inMic,  (v<r  kri]i  this  thuti-ht   in  iniii'k 


tnat    m    vni 


ir    N-cni-i    !li  i\\  ■ 


\v,v  iirnniii 


-f    h!'.n,l   that    all 


limuarv  "f 


tlic  wi-ahi  ran  h.  ia>t  ;   for  it   i-  lint   "i'  tht 


i.:rratf~;  ami  iii 'hK-i  .it'  .\la,L;\ar  kin^s. 

(  )ft''n    lia.'l    slu'    iinii'icrr.l    ihn.-r    uurils,    uhii'h    m 


st-riii'.'d 


hnnit   into  1i,t  hiain.  ai       .aiiil\    thntiiju  that 
in<in,'    liuiiil)!-'   than    th.^    mhhil; 


att'T    all    slu-    w.is   11' 


('miucs  ,.!'  ?.!ai-it  :  hu\  tlu'  scalv.>  !ki:1  ilr..i>in.i  -.ixm  Iut 

that    slu'   was   hnt    a 


\t    If-t,    ami    ■lu'    f'inlil    m.i.' 


CdMiniMii  ]H  asan'   ,l;ii 


1,  wlidin  111  iiH'  ili'l  ik-is^n  \n  hdiior. 


Slu-  wonM  ha\"  ;-iicc.;h   with  h.r  aunt   ami  unck'  that 


\vr 


\   ni-ht   ahtnit  niurnin!.;  \'>  iuT   latlnT.  wh.o  suialy 


iinist   have  n-H.l  nf  iter,  ami  ^hc  wnnlii  sp 


(1  tl 


)cn(l  tlu'  re- 


laimler  I'l'  I.rr  xrniih   in   iiiinisfcrin,;'  to  liis  cnnilnrl. 


ma 


hit    slu'    t.,1 


111'!    that    1','  r    un 


■].■    hail    not 


M      rctiirm.' 


1 


frurn  the  ikr.'s  w  M^l^  in  tlu'  fi'-kU.  whik'  her  annt  was 


|in^\     Willi     iMU.A'lii 


s(i,    aiiNiMUs    til    (•sca">c 


fr-'in  her  thoiiixhts.  slu-  snon  retired  to  hit"  hnnih'e 
hitle  riHini  in  the  haek  i>art  nf  the  hmi-e,  ami  tiiaile 
lea'h  i'l  If  -luinliei. 


A  BalUcd  (Gallant. 


6i 


Sleep,  however,  was  i 


lot 


tor  Izc'  '-1  that  nic^ht,  and 


lor   hcnirs   s 


10  tnsscil   ahitut    w 


hile   all   manner  (it   sad 


1   hitler   thnn-ht.-    eha^rd    iheiiiMlv  r-    thnni,c;-h   her 


am 

liirchhin'T    hrain. 


Tt'sei 


At    li'n-ih    a    slMnn    ai'i 
thi 


wliieh 


itlv    had    a    strange    MHithin;^    etieet    ujxni     lu 


es 


-ited   ft^elin.L^s.  and  >he  lay  (|uiet.   wrapp 


d  in  a  snrl 


lull    >adne: 


ii^le!nr, 


t.i  the  I'larint^-  ot   the   wnu 


an( 


111!'  ilarKiios  ni 


her  cliaiiil'er  wa^ 


1  the  rcillinLj:  '.f  the  thunder,   while  ever  and   anon 

illuminated  tn  nmiii- 

whieh    tla>he(l    in 

low.     ."^nddenh-,  in  a 


dav    l)rif;ln.uss,    hy    the    li-htuiiiL 
from  tlu'  small,  imeurtained  wiiK 


atiso  hetwi'ei 


1  the  shocks,  she  heeanie  ronscious 


that 


a  \o 


ice  wa>  caliiuL:  trotn  ^nmeu 


luTe  1)111   in  the  >torm. 


d   as   she   stramed  lur  ear   io  listen  it   s 


(■(.'ine 


1   that 


ncr  (lu 


n  name  was  I 


hf  hurden  of  that  call.     "Suri 


not.     she  ari'ue( 


1,  it  must  he  hut  the  vaij;aries 


,f  lier 


\rrwro 
a^.^'in,    an< 


u'^ht     nna.L^matioii. 
1    thi^    time    It 


Ihit,     no;     there     it     was 
>onn(le<l    louder    and    more 


dzoMa,  Izolda,  Izolda  T).'.z>a  :"  uuh  more  that  >h 


tnsioi 


C'tdd  not   sei).ir.ne   1  rom  tlie  coiitu 

Sh.e    sat    up   in   hi'd,    wonderitii;-    who    u    em 


1   oi    tlie   ^torni. 


uiiat  was  wan 
ni'.cle's  lionst'hol 


♦I'd  of  her.      It 


Ci  uno 


he  no  one 


Id  he   and 
if  her 


i  ;   for  I'he  had  luard  caeh  come  and 


rctUT 
was   s 


t'or    the    m.ulil. 
onu'lhint:   nmi,a 


What    should    slu 


diei'i 


nioiis 


N"< 


iw   It  ro^c  aLram 


lural    ahout    thi-    midnight    snm- 
thronuh  a  lull  in  the  storm. 


■Ma  n.'>zsa. 


;nns 


tl 


icre  m  thv  vein-  tlu'  bloi 


d 


<<\    the   ("orvmus,    thou    wi 


It    surelv   n 


o;     (ic<( 


rt    111    in-^ 


extreim 


tv     thv     father     who 


at    tl 


ice.      1-lv 


then 


62 


l/(jli.l.i 


iz 


,M;i.      I'lv  \o  In-,   sid 


o  ;tn 


1  -.iK-C(Tr  liii-n  in  his  soro 


(li^trc^ 


l7.'iM;i,  Izol'la, 


lia-^ti'  tluc  awav 


"he  viuuil:  '-^iii  was  unw  hi. 'n  m-i.ly 


-tarlK'il  aii'l 


fri-hUMU.L      What    c^'uM   il    mean 


Was   this   suni- 


inoiis  lit   cartli.  and   u 


hat 


It    porlcn. 


r.vcn   as 


she    iiiinderi 


a   more   liru 


lormer 


rlv  invaded  the  nxmi,  ai 


haul    slieet    of   lit^lit    than 
id  tranu-il  in  tlie  'ipen- 


:iil;  < 


if  her  windiiw  s.ie 


aw  tlie  ta.i'i' 


\\  1 1 ' ) 


had  uttiTed  the  m\-teri.iu-  wa 


,  ,f  the  liM'^^y  .^'ii'I. 
riiiiiL':  aL^ainst  the 


Spa 


man 


1 ;  and  as  sh 


e  iraze 


d  a  hand  wa-  raise 


d  wiiii 


<()niiu 


••esture. 


was 
for  t 


(larkness  as  hetore.      In  ama 


or  an  n 


i-laiit  oiil\-.  then  a'.l 


izeinent   slie  w; 


iteil 


lie  next  tlash.l.nt  wln'ii  it  came  tlie  win. 


hhmk.  while  now 


further  away  and  -rowm;. 


.  iw  was 
fainter, 


slu'  heard  the  voice. 

"Izolda  T)i'>zsa.     Rnns  in  yonr  veins  the  hloo. 
the  e'orvimi-i-'     C'e-me  IzoMa.  cme 


terr.  ir  va 


And  iMW  al 
clear,  settled  jnirp 


Kisiiu 


lie  ilres.>e 


niched;  hnt  in  it'^  jilace  came 
She  woiiM  L'-.'  to  her  father, 
ha-te,  and  \\ith..nt  a  thoiiLjht 


as  to  how  she  was  to  accoiii] 
mam    miles  of  rn^'^cl  conn 
from  tliat  jiarent  t.>  \\ho<e 
,,ns|\  .^nmm.'nt'd.  -he  -tejipe. 


ili<h  the  jonrncv  over  the 
tr\,  u hieh  separated  her 


de  she  was  tints  mysten- 
1  (Hit  into  the  storm  and 


siied  awa^    m 


the  darkne; 


Michael's  Vain  Appeal. 


63 


ciiArn-.R  i\'. 


Mini  \r.l-  S    VAIN     AI'l'KAI.. 


Witli  Ii'>t    wrath 


)i  the  Lniius  1) 


uill 


Inirnmi:  m  his  hv 


art.  thr  snn 


on  arnv 


(  IICO    (II 


f  Marnt  slrndc  rapiilly  hoim-ward,  au'l 
al  at  the  casilo  iniiiiochatcly  sought  tlic  jires- 
lii-   father,   wliMin  !k-   tcuml  alnin-  in   a  small 


riMiin  o])cnni.i;  1  !l  the  i^rcat  (hnniLT  na 


ill. 


Ic  was  s 


tand- 


it  tin 


•H'M  casrnu 


n;  liiol.inL;'  nut  upon  the  ladini 


hunlscaiio   I'l-t   in   ilrvp  tlion-ht:   mi  nnK-h   so 
a|>pc'ari'(l   n'  t    in   1 


that   he 


reniauKd   witli    In'- 


id'.ire   tlu'   entrance   i>t    his   son.   Ijut 
ack  to  the   dnnr,   until    the   latter 


advised  him  of  Iti  •  presence  h\-  addresMny-  him;  then 
he  turned  and  (|r,iet!v  returne'l  his  ^reetiuLT.  1  all 
.'ind  I'rect  radur  --pare  "f  tle-h.  nt'  dark  Cdinplexion, 
a   lii'di    t'lin-head   rcund   winch  clu:-tered   dark   masses 


III  hair  in^l   tiULje 


1  will 


1  l;1(."\,   lie,i\\ 


hii-l 


)V    vv 


■hriiw  ' 


frnm  undenie.ilh   which  clear,  i^rcx    eyes  kuiked   fnrth. 


with  a  j-toailfa^t  (|ue<tiiaiii 


a/e   V 


Inch  maile  it   e 


tremdv    dilhcult     i'-'f    anv    in-'iiceniv    {.>    < -cajie    tlie 


iMtice  of  their  ] 


xissessi  1 


r, — tlu-  ("Mmes  was  altoLi'ether 


if    most 


CO 


nimanduiL;    presi'iice. 


T 


w  ice    a    wnliwer, 


Ins   second    l)i'rea\enu'n 


t    hefallimr   some   twelve   wav: 


lirexioii 


dx,     I. 


lib 


)oh 


liad 


ixiirei 


1   lar^ 


elv   u  1 


ihin 


■ml  o 


t  Ins  two  cliil 


himself,  and  thou,i;h  ii:issionatelv 

drcn,  was  far  from  dciuonst.-ati\c  in  iiis  affcclioii. 


64 


I/olcla. 


i* 


I 


"Wrll.  Micliarl.  iu\-  ihi'Ui^lits  wiTi'  Inn  now  l)U-\- 
ci'iiciTTiiiitr  vim  ;m<!  I  am  :;lail  that  vnu  liavo  conn- 
in  jusi  at  tlii'-  I  inn-.  \\\  can  talk  of  s.inic  matters  of 
groat  imiiortancc.  in  the  arraii^in^:'  of  winch  1  trust 
von  will  be  .'ililc  to  ,uivc  nic  no  -^mall  aid.  ' 

'■'rru!\,  will  1  so  cnlcavor.  my  Sire;"  rctnrncil  the 
son.  "i.nt  1  come  to  \ .  m  now  with  a  complaint,  and 
if  it  i)lcasc  von,  wouM  h;i\c  \  on  (li-;ioM.>  of  it  ]>cforc 
])rocccilini;  with  the  otlur  mailers  which  yon  wouM 
(leal  with.  Ilave  I  \i»nr  jierniission  to  sneak  of  it.'" 
Tlu-  eller  havinj,'  nodded  liis  head  in  sit^n  of  assent, 
the  \ouni;-  man  ])roceeded. 

"It  is  concerning,'  the  Siianiard.  Hon  (.'.irdenio  de 
C.aiil,  who  is  at  i>rc-ent  your  .L;"iU'~t,  .''.nd  wlio  i-,  I 
grieve  to  lia^"  to  inform  \on,  f.ar  from  heiii',,'  the 
courtly  gentleman  he  doth  ai)!iear.  I  did  hut  jn^t 
now  interrni)t  him  a>  he  was  grievously  insulting  one 
of  tile  village  girN.  \\hi>in  he  had  hapinned  ui)ou 
aknu-  and  un])rotecti  d  ;  .ani!  I  did  indeed  haw  to  lay 
violent  hands  upon  the  ruffian  to  persuade  him  to 
(U-sist." 

'idle  Coni,-s  at  first  apjieared  (|uite  anuised  at  tlie 
heat  disjilaved  hv  his  von,  Imt  ;it  the  concludii'.g 
words  of  his  outburst  he  grew  suddenly  gtave  and 
demanded  hastily. 

■'\Vh;!l  <Ii)  \ou  me.'iu.  C'onie,  tell  me  ipiicklv  ;dl  of 
the  matter,  i  low  happened  it,  and  wheie  ;"  .M  chael. 
Will  ]ile;ised  at  the  evideiU  intcre'-t  m;;nif(.'stt  1  hv  h; - 
f;ither,  w;is  noth;-i;;  loath,  ;ii;d  ;it  once  iv^'-ve  hiiu  a  fidl 
account  of  the  .afternoon's  incident,  conclnling  with. 
"And  now,  Sire,  i'   seenieth  !■)  me  to  he  little  sh'  rt 


Michael's  Vain  Appeal. 


(^S 


.f 


sratulalous  i 


f  lliis  man  he  alluwed  to  dwell  longer 
l.tiieatli  your  roof  and  to  have  the  privilofje  of  tlie 
-. .cict\    of  my  sister  Anna.      I   pray   tliat   you   will  at 

ai.     (iiadlv    would    1    take 


I'lKH'     i. 


ivc   him    his   dismiss 


Il-.c 


matter  mto  nnne  own  lian 


uid  fiizht  him 


to  the 


death  if  needs  he  for  his  wanton  cruelty  toward  my 
nl.hime  playmate:  hut  your  orders,  Sire,  h.ave  ever 
trict   with  regard  to  such  procedure,  that   I 


lieen    SO    S 
refrain. 


The   Comes   knitted   his   heav 
It  silent  in  deep  thought  for 


vebrows   while   he 
some  monu 


.-nts,  but  at 


length  he  spoke. 


ri 


ii>  IS  mos 


t  unfi>rtunate,  and  I  would  that  ii  had 


nc/t  happened.  It  ma\  he  as  you  say,  discreditahle 
ih.it  Don  Cardenio  ^^huuld  have  heen  so  violent,  hut 
then  twas  hut  'ine  ni  tiie  villager's  daughters,  and  I 
;im  concerned  that  y<iu  should  have  quarreled  with 
him  over  so  small  a  matter.  It  is  most  important 
that  we  should  retain  the  favor  of  this  man  -^t  this 
lime,  and  I  trust,— \ea,  1  even  coinmand,— that  you 
take  no  further  m.tice  of  the  affair,  hut  if  oppor- 
I'.uiitv  offer,  treat  him  with  all  courtesy  and  invite 
liini  tn  forget  your  difference.  Twas  hut  this  morii- 
i;;:;  that  he  informed  me  of  his  ])urposc  to  leave  us 
on  the  morrow,  and  1  ^vould  have  him  depart  in  all 
friendliness." 

Michael  fairly  gasped  in  his  astonishinent  at  the 
cnur^-e  commanded  hy  his  father,  and  hastened  to  ex- 
postulate. 

"I'.ut,  father,  if  it  had  been  mv  sister  .\nna.  instead 
of  this  village  maid,  you  surely  would  not  give  me 


66 


Izolda. 


If  J 

i 


sucli  counsel:  ralluT  wniiM  you  yourself  ii' it  rest 
until  the  wretch  h.id  heeu  well  innii-hed  for  hi-  insol- 
ence. Th.en  why  slionM  the  ..ffev.-e  he  pa^se.l  over  so 
Ii,L:htl\,  hecan-e  it  concern>  only  a  poor  jiea-ant  ,L;-irl  ? 
Is  not  her  honor  as  dear  to  her  as  th.at  of  the  hi-hest 
iMirn  (lani>rl  in  all  llun-ary?  The  elder  ni.ni  smiled 
a.L^ain  at  the  iniiietuosity  of  the  \(nniu;er,  and  paused 
a  moment  hefore  rejoiniuL;'. 

'•These  words.    Micliael,  prove  to  me  more  clearly 
than    the    stroni;e>i    as>nrances    \ou    ciaiM    .t^ive.    that 
your    time    while    at    Rome    was    well    spent    and    not 
wasted  in  idleness  and  vice,     ^'ou  t'videntlv  have  not 
\vl    learned    to   view    such    matter^    in    the    li,L;ht    that 
mam    men  do,  and  thou,L;h   I   am  somewhat  surprised 
at    your    lack    of    discernment,    it    nevertheless    rather 
I)leascs  me.     Tan  it  he  that  mui  have  never  ohserved 
that  the  majority  of  our  youni:;  men,   wliile  tliey  pay 
every   respect   ti_)  maidens  of  their  own   station,  deoin 
it  not  tinhecotninL:^  to  comport  themselves  with  much 
more  freedom,  when  those  of  the  inferior  orders  arc 
conci-rned"      Such    an    one,    it    woidil    appear,    i>    ■  nir 
])re'-ent  utn'St  ;  and  _\-ou  must  n'  ;   he  too  severe  tii)on 
him,  especially  as  the  -irl  has  escai)ed  him  with  noth- 
ing;  worse   than   a    fri-ht.       The   peasantry   liave  lonij: 
at^o    learned    to    ex/.ect    such    treatment.       [ndeol.     I 
(l<iuht      not,    hut    that    many    of    our    \ill;iL;e    wenches 
would    h.ive    hi'cn    secretlv    plea-ed    t  >    receive    sivh 
marke  .  attention  from  one  so  f:ir  aho\c  th'-m.     "^  our 
model  mttst  l>e  extremclv  hard  to  please.     I'.ut   it  will 
he  just  as  wll  th.at  \  on   vourself  do  not  bc^in  to  in- 
diilL^o  in  such  pleasantry." 


Miclmcrs  Vain  Appeal. 


^>7 


.IIIVV 


lidjic  no 


t.   fatlnT.      I '.lit   wliv  is  it  tlu.t  the  peas- 


•t  sticii  trrri'nK'iit,   ami   why   shnull 


i; 


4  tluir  ucuK!!   rect 


niiU'h  n-i-ect  as  Lhi-o  ^i 


ihc  iK-hiiilvr  W  li\ ,  iiulL'<-il,  shuul>l  ii'-t  llir  pca-aiU 
liiiiisell  W  acciirdc.l  Int  rr  tivatiiu  ni ;-  That  i>  soi'.ir- 
'.hiiiL:   uliicii   has    lillnl    iin    tlumul.  -   niorc   an  1    ni  ti- 


.1    late: 
atisTu's. 


hiit 


ca 


u      t      emi   to    lind    an    an-wi 


tnal 


iH.ii 


ii)li-     till,     al 


(la\"     in     tlio     tieid 


tliniu-hi'i.i    tile    sprini;^   ani 


I   simiiner,    ami   tlien    ulieri 


tlie  liarve-t  c  tin  s  tlie  i,M-eat  huli<  of  tlie  I'ruils  ol   tluir 
ial)or    is    t;atliere(l— not    into    tluir    harns    and    ^;  .it- 


housis,— hnt    into   ours,    \\ 


Inle    tluA,    in    iia\inenl    na' 


■ir   iiKiea\'ors. 


sum   to   have 


M'aree   eiiou: 


l^eep    tlKiuselves    and    thildieii    i:oni    lanushm^ 


di    lell    I' 


V.l 


we.    u 


vho   tl. .   little   or    notl.m 


■_^   liavi-   much   tu    waste. 


Sm-elw  sneh  a  division  i--  no 


t  ri^ht  ! 


AL'ain  the  eider  snn 


.\s  il 


le  owners  < 


.f  the  ^oil.  we  of  the  nohility  ninst 


n  nistice  recMve 


the  -reater  share.     L<  i:;-ii 


ler  1. 


lor 


a  nionieii 
ntteri\    inipossih 


t  how  helpless  would  the  i)eopk'  he  and  how 


lo  for  them  to  ;;ani.  even  s; 


.])  fr( 


-tarviu!^'.  did  we  m  .t      'ovi 


le  tl 


lein  wi 


,er.t  to 
ih  the 


ami 


tore  '  It 
comes 


tilk 


r,nt   was  not   the  land  h'-i-  Ioul,^  he- 
lur  the  nohihtv  i<v  the  peasantrv?     Ijow,  then. 


it    that    the    ivw    pi 


ill   th.'   soil     while  th 


maiiv  are  CMiiipelU'd  to  serve  them  in  -nch  snlijeetioii, 


111  order  to  iram 


a  hare  snlisisten 


Yon  pnt  '^tranpc  (piestions,  mv  son.  and  '-onie 


it   would  he   as   wt 


11    for  von   t 


n   he  ea 


that 


refill   that   none 


otlier  -lioul 


hear  \i.u  ask,  or 


troiihle  will  he  in  store 


68 


l/,old,l. 


» ' 


11 


for  von.  Howrvcr,  x^u  slvmld  kn<i\v  tliat  ori-iiuiUv 
;ill  llie  laiiils  i.f  tin,'  kini^.lMin  wrw  i-,^uww'\  in  the 
kin.tj.  and  he  liatlt,  tn'tn  tinic  [<>  tinic.  f^r  sirvici'S  rcn- 
(liTftl.  mack'  iivtr  tin,'  ni;lit,>  m1  crtain  districts  to  his 
Diinct.'-  and  k^rd-  to  adininistiT  as  srrnis  ^^--nod  to 
tlu-in.  Idxx,  in  tnrn,  jiarcrl  it  ont  to  tin-  in'asantry, 
to  till  l'"r  tlu'ir  iK'Klit,  luit.  of  conrsc.  mnst  needs  pro- 
vide the  jieasant  with  hi>  snlwi-^tence  olt  the  pro- 
dncts." 

"Think  ine  not  so  i.L:niiram.  father,  as  to  need  ex- 
])lanati<in  of  that.  What  1  (pu  >tiMM  i>  this:  W  h\  is 
ii(,t  a  more  e(|nal  division  of  the  re>nlts  of  their  toil 
niadi-  SureK'.  the  tiller  o,'  the  smII  >h: add  receive 
a  hetter  -"hare  of  the  harv.-t.  (.ranted  that  s..'ine 
].orti<'n  shi.nld  cciiie  to  the  iiohles  as  the  jHissessors 
of  the  lands,  vet  the  i^reatest  amount  slionld  in  jnstice 
q-M  to  him  who  earns  it  hv  Ins  toil.  It  is  this  nnei|nal 
division  I  qnarrel  with.  The  or.e  lip.s  little  share  of 
hlessini:,  while  he  hears  all  tile  hnnltiis  ;  yet  the  other 
hath  almost  all  the  Me-inu;  and  no  prirt  of  the 
l.nrdi'n.  And  now,  it  sarins,  that  t!u'  i)'"ir  peasant's 
dan.uhters  mav  he  rnhhed,  evtn  of  their  honor,  with 
iin])nnit\  !  "  This  last  w.as  said  in  a  sad  and  l)itter 
tnne,  .-md  Miidiael  eontinned.  desjiite  the  !.:atherin.!.,' 
frown  upon  Ins  falhet's  hrow. 

'■  Tnrn  v.hiiher  he  w  ill,  there  is  no  redress  for  the 
]ic;i-.r  down-trodden  ]ieasant.  I'"ven  S' Tice  from  re- 
li>^ion  is  d'  nied  him.  If  he  t;(.  to  iiis  jiriest  he  is  there 
met  hv  <lemands  fur  a  fnrther  >h:\w  >>\  his  scantv 
.snhstancc:  for  even  in  the  matter  nf  the  chnrch  we 
of  the  nobility  reinsc  to  boar  any  part  of  the  burden, 


_-_--*•  ^»  ' 


Michael's  Vain  Appeal. 


69 


and  tlK'  priest  has  perforce  to  turn  to  llie  alrea^ly 
Kn.anint,'  peasantry— or  starve  else.  Tlieii  havin- 
Taken  a  t^enerous  ^hare  <>\  the  poor  wr.teh's  la-^l 
crust,  lie  lias  no  ,^aeater  comfort  to  offer  than  to 
a,lnionish  him  to  hear  patiently  the  hunlens  he.apcl 
„,„„i  him  and  '^nv  still  more  faithful  and  unrMmi)lam- 
m^'  service  to  his  masters.  It  is  surely  no  wonder 
that  the  people  hecme  alienated  from  the  cluuch, 
and  so  manv  of  them  have  lately  heen  found  .i^uilty 
,,f  heresv.  Pardon  me.  Sire,  if  1  speak  more  freelv 
than  I  ou^dit;  hut  I  have,  in  my  i^oin.tjs  ahout  for 
.sketching,  mixed  somewhat  with  the  conun(<n  people, 
and  have' heard  them  talk  when  they  were  in  ignor- 
ance of  who  was  near.  "Twas  only  a  few  davs  since 
th.at  I  heard  one  talking  to  a  gr..up  and  urging  them 
to  (juit  their  i)riests.  thus  : 

"The  niessed  Savior."  he  said,  "did  Himself  work 
to  earn  His  daily  hread,  even  as  .lid  thev,  and  warned 
men   in    His   time   of   the   avarice  and   wickedness   of 
these   leeches,    while    He   called    all    men    to   omic    to 
Ilim    for   rest.       We."— he   continued.— "  arc   in    His 
eyes  as  good  as  anv  priest  or  nohle  either,  and  it  is 
not  right   that   we  should   suffer  and  toil   for  them." 
From    what    ho    said,    it    seemed    that    he    had    hear. I 
someone   read   such   things   from   a   priute.l   paper   at 
another  village,   and   I    .louht   not   that  there  i>  much 
of   this    same   th.ntght    ahroa<l  ;    for    which    T    cannot 
blame    them,      .\s    T  have  wandere.l  abroad  much  of 
late,  to  talk  with  nature,  this  state  of  strife,  in  which 
men  appear  to  live  is  so  nt  variance  with  her  peace- 
ful face,  that  I  am  truly  persuaded  the  Great  God 


I 


70 


I/,:  .Id. 


couM  ii"t  Iiavo  iiUcntkil  niatlii^  Im  In  tlii,-^,  aU'l  that 
a  ilav  of  rririhiition  tnu-t  lie  in  st^ro  I'nr  tli'.'  jiriiiccs 
fit  llnii!,'ar\  fur  tlirir  tiiatnunt  'if  tlif  ]ir'i]ilr.  This 
iii>i)lr  .MaL;\ar  racr 
thintr~  I  " 


\iril\'     was 


mraiu     I'mi     1; 


'.iKur'li,    Mifhai 


hrnko   in   th''  Come-,  i; 


ipa 


CJltl\-. 


\\\'   h 


:i\r    airiMdv 


lalkdl    tMo    Ion-    on    th 


trivial  niattiT.     The  nohk'^  of  IluHLrarv  act  no  d  iTit- 


■ntl\-   than    liaxc   nrni 


U'ls    r\vr   ^nirc    \\)r    woil 


It    was   r\  CT 


I' 

anil   it   W'luM 


1..  hi-  <  loil' 


^         All 


arranm 


nuMit    !'.r    tl 


U'    naMon. 


' !  ^    o\\  n    ih'm;)!i,-    ha'l 
thiir  seT\itors.  ami  the  ancient  princes  luTl  the  C'  Mi- 


ni 


Ion   ]ieoj)le   in    suhjection    far   niof''   sc\erel\'   than    i- 


(loiif    111    thi~ 


lan.l. 


ait    conv      no   ni> 


il    tin- 


have  nlatter^  of   iL;Teat   ini]    >rt    uhich   deinaii'l  iii\-   at- 
tention,   and    cor.eerniiiL;-    \' Iiich    I    de.-ire    \"Ur   a^si^t- 


ance    and    connscT      I.i>ten:     I    have   t' 


1-  'av 


had    let- 


ters from  the  I 'al, it  inc.  i'.athorv.  wl;  !i  show  tint  die 
position  of  affair-  in  the  kin;:;iloni  i-  at  this  monient 
{.^rave ;  and  he  does  dt  niand  ni\  C' .-operaii.'ii  in  the 
('nd(\'iv<'>rs  wl  icdi  lu'  and  others  are  niakiii;^  to  sa\e 
lis  from  disa^ter.  Here  al>o."  (w.ivins;-  his  hand  to  a 
tahlc  u|)oii  which  a  mimher  of  papers  lav  scattered) 
'are  letters  in  the  same  niaf  r  fri  .in  the  t'omes  of 
Temcs.  Stephen  Tc!c,L,^(Iy  and  the  Ihshop  of  C'sanaij. 
All  sec  the  same  danger  ahead,  and  are  united  in  t!ie 
purpose  to  overcome  it  if  pos^ihle.  Would  thr.t  thev 
were  also  as  united  upon  the  means  to  accomi)lish 
tliat  purpose!  Discnsions  will,  as  usual,  I  fear, 
cause  us  to  come  to  grief." 

"  \\'hat  danger  menaces  the  kingdom,  Sire  ?      Are 


Micliacl'^  Vail)    \ppcal. 


thr  Turks  1  iaVin-  aii-'.h.r  o,i.I:iiu;lit  np'ui  ,.nr 
l„,nKi-:'  If  siuh  is  tlu'  c-as>-  1  aiu  ciTtainly  iva'ly  to 
l.ucklr  ..n  the  sw..nl  an-l  .lu  my  poor  l.-.t  to  .Icfciid 
the  land  from  tliose  infields." 

•■  1  v.,,ul.l  'liat  it  were  the  Turks.     They  wmM  1..- 
a   far  lesser  evil   than   that    whirli   now   threatens.      It 
.scorns  that  our  «oo(l  Ar.hln^h-p  I'.akacs,  \s  ho  so  con- 
fiJontlv    cxpcctod    to    sit    'li-n    the    lltronc    of    Saint 
IV'ter,  has,  as  a  hihn  -n  h'-,  wounded   fcrlin-s,   pcti- 
tiniicd    his    succfSsfMl    l-aliaii    ri\  a     to   he    allowed    to 
orijani/e    here    in    i  lnn,i.,-ary,    a    crusade    against    the 
Turks,  and  has  !ia<l  his  request  j^ranted  hy  I-eo.      He 
is    l(,r.in--    no    time.    Inn    lias    alreadv    e-mmence.l    to 
prea.-h    his    crusade    amon-    the    peasantry,    who    are 
p.couiinj;    m.uch    excite.l    at    the    prospect.       P.;ithory 
desis^ns,' if   po<sil)le   tn   have   the   plan   vetoed   hy   the 
Diet:  hut  manv  are  ruled  hv  ]' ikacs  and  I  f-ar  that 
he  will  '.e  ahle  to  or,tnnmber  us  whoi:  the  time  comes 
for  decision."' 

••  That,  surclv  is  no  great  calamitv,"  exclaimed 
Mich.iel.  "hut  rather  a  glorious  opportunity  for  Hun- 
gary—t^  strike  a  blow  against  the  Sultan,  while 
fanning  the  religious  zeal  of  the  peasantry,  would 
indeed  serve  a  double  inirpose.  Surely,  'tis  a  ll-aven 
sent  insi)iration  to  the  wo'-thy  Archbishop.  1  do  feel 
inclined  to  myself  '  take  the  cross  '  and  embark  upon 
the  vinture." 

■•  Xay,  nav.  Michael.  You  see  not  the  matter  from 
its  serious  side.  Were  all  tlie  peasantry  religious 
zealots,  what  you  sav  wmdd  be  verv  truth;  but  'tis 
n.t  so.     For  too  manv  have  been  thinking  and  talk- 


J. 


Izolda. 


ini;  in  llu'  >tr;iiii  \ou  Imt  imw  spokr  nf.  I'liiuk  not 
tliat  \ciu  art.'  tla-  fiisi  tn  ii  tici'  tlic  disciiiUiiitcd  st'iti- 
1. 1  tlu'  CDiniiioii  i)o<i]ilo.  Man\  of  thorn  have  listi'iicd 
to  luTi'tiral  talk  am!  tiarliiii;;,  ami  aro  ripe  to  hivak 
with  thrir  prii-t^,  of  whi^ni  ihry  hc.i^iii  to  think  thcin 
scUi'N  tho  i'(|nal-.  ill  the  ^i'jht  of  ( io(k  'Ti^  this  wlhcli 
niakrs  it  a  (kanm  inn-,  ih.in;,^  to  tliink  of  pultiiij;  anns 
into  tlu'  hands  of  Mir  iirasantry,  wlin  imicc  in  poss'/^- 
sion.  niii^ht  takr  r,  r  •lioii  to  n>e  thrin  aj^ainst  tlu'ir 
masters,  instead  "f  tin'  iidiilcls.  lU'sido  that,  the 
season  is  njion  n>  uluii  all  arc  needed  iii  tlic  fields  to 
leather  the  har\e-.i.  To  draw  off  thousands  at  this 
time,  would  leave  the  nohU's  in  a  seriinis  plij;ht  for 
want  of  field  lahor,  were  there  no  ether  dan<:,^er  to 
fear.  A  strong,'  elTort  must  I>o  made  to  intluenee  tlie 
Diet  aj,''ainst  the  |)roje'.-t  and  no  tinu'  nuist  he  lo-,t 
in  doinj^  so.  Will  you  umlertake  a  journey  for  me?" 
■■.\ssuredly.  'S'ou  may  command  me  u\)nn  any 
mi>sion  you  deem  dcsirahle.  \Miitlier  would  vou 
have  me  journey,  and  when  shall  1  make  readv  to  set 
fortli  ?  I  will  gladly  start  at  once  if  you  I)id  me:  I 
trust  \iiu  will  he  not  imi)atient  witli  me,  liowevcr.  if 
1  do  hut  utter  my  convicti(.ii,  that  this  fear  of  the 
nobles  to  sanction  such  a  meritorious  design  as  a 
crusade  aj:::ainst  our  national  enemies,  the  Turks,  p^oes 
far  to  show  the  truth  of  the  assertion  that  great  in- 
justice has  been  praelired  toward  the  peasants,  else 
would  we  be  ready  and  eager  to  encourage  them  in 
sticli  an  enterprise,  instead  of  striving  to  keep  arms 
out  of  tl'cir  hands,  through  fear  that  thev  may  be 
turned  iii  just  retribution  against  ourselves." 


Michael's  Vain   Appeal. 


73 


Tlic   C'liiKs   kiiiltcil    III-   hrous   impatiently    durint^ 
this  lattor  sjk'ocIi  l)iit  clii»c  to  ignore  it 

To-inorrn\v  will  dd,  my  >i>n.  I'lrst,  1  would  have 
\.  A  lio  to  rt'iiiosvar.  arid  assure  the  (.'nuies  that  I 
most  hearlilv  join  with  him  in  hi>  <>i>i)osition  to  this 
scheme  of  the  Archhishnp,  and  aui  doinj^  and  will  <lo 
inv  utmost  t(t  assi-^t  him.  Then  I  would  liave  \ou 
press  on  to  Trans\  Ivauia  and  hear  my  fjrectiUf^s  to 
the  X'awode,  while  I  despatch  other  messenj^ers  to 
the  Palatine.  Treasurer  and  IJishoj).  As  ndu  'veil 
know,  I  am  of  the  kinjLj's  party:  hut  at  the  same  time 
I  would  continue  friendlv  with  S.'apolyai,  who  if  our 
fe.us  he  realized,  must  he  ])revailed  upon  to  hecome 
our  allv,  and  would  he  of  much  assistance  when  the 
danger  is  actuall\  upon  us.  F.ven  did  tlie  present  evil 
not  threaten,  it  is  wise  to  conciliate  him,  since  he  is 
alreadv  so  powerfrl,  and.  should  he  succeed  in  t'orc- 
int,'  th.c  kinj;  to  ^ive  his  dan<,ditcr  in  marriap^e  to  liis 
son,  will  he  slill  more  f'^rmidahle.  In  this  vou  may 
perhaps  he  ah!e  to  be  of  g^reat  use  lO  me.  Yon  doubt- 
less know  what  T  mean?  There  was  a  time  wlicn  the 
marriage  of  the  daut^^hter  of  tlie  \'ayv(Mle  to  the  son 
of  the  Comes  of  Marot  was  deemed  p<issil)le."  This 
last  was  said  with  an  anxious,  almost  appealinj::  look 
at  the  youn^  man:  then,  after  a  short  pause:  "Rut 
tliat  matter  I  leave  m  your  hand.s.  You  as  uell  as  I 
can  weiph  the  advantage  tliat  would  result  from' 
being  comiccted  with  the  most  powerful  noble  in  all 
Hung-ary." 

Michael  gave  no  sign  of  cither  agreement  or  dis- 


iL 


74 


I/nl.Ia. 


stMit    \u    \]\>    fatiur".^    i\';iiaik-,    Imi    ri-ini,'    \n    lUpart 
saiii : 

■■  1  shall  Ik-  rcailv,  Sire,  t'l  prdcx-ii!  upon  this  mis.^ioii 
at  earlv  morniii^f,'',  or  \v!iciu'\i.  r  ii  jilcasc  you  to  dis- 
patch nie  with  \our  fu!l  ihrertions,  and  will  tlo  my 
bc^t  to  cxcciUi.-  MHU"  c'oiiiniands  corrrctlv." 


C.U(lcnii)'s   Fair   Defender. 


/.■> 


LllAlTi-R  V. 


fAROFXIOS  l'\IR  DF.ri-.xpr.R. 


Micliar!  stroilo  acrnsv  the  .^reat  liall  aftrr  tlio 
cont\Tcnc'.'  willi  lii^  fatluT,  and  soui^ht  tlir  aiiartnu'iits 
I  if  liis  si^tcT  .\nna.  wliilluT  lie  was  wmn  \n  rrsnrt  fur 
rest  and  sdlace  when  wearinl  ami  disluarloiud.  As 
lu'  appr  udu'd  tlie  riHnii  ulure  the  vuiuiij:  mistress 
was  u.sualh'  to  he  t'uund  en^a.tred  willi  ne.edlework 
(rr  i)la\in;4  dihhi  Ikt  L;nitar.  I.e  lieard  lur  sinyinp^  a 
weir.l  .Ma.L;"var  I'^ve  smul;-  tu  lur  (iwn  aeeiinij)aninient, 
and  the  -strain  had  alre;id>-  hf^nn  t^  exert  a  so-ithinLj 
mtluence  upi'-n  hi^  ]ienurhed  feehnL;-  ere  he  n'aehe(l 
the  doorway.  I'nt  iii-t  inside  the  duMrwav  he  halted, 
while  the  smile  faded  fmm  his  f;iee,  and  ihe  q'ay  .(jreet- 
in,L:  died  awav  upon  Irs  lip-,  for  the  seene  wliiih  met 
liis  eves  was  f,ir  f n 'm  plea--n\L;  to  him. 

ITis  sister  .\nna  (unlike  th.e  majoritv  of  HunL;arian 
m.iid.iis  and  in  contrast  te,  Ilt  hroiher),  was  de- 
eidedl\  fair,  lietrayini,'  at  once  her  Cicrman  (irii^iii  on 
the  maternal  side,  for  she  was  of  tlie  Comes'  second 
marria,L,^o.  .\s  slie  sal  new.  or  rather  reclined  upon 
a  low  couch  in  o;racefu1  .-diandon.  with  ;;reat  masses 
<'\  almost  flaxen  luiir  tossed  li-luly  back  from  a  broad, 
lii.L;h  foreliead,  beneath  wh.icli  lar,c:c,  expressive,  blue 
cye->  shone  forth,  while  throat  and  neck  of  shapcUncsr 


76 


I/. 


>i(la. 


ami  wliitriU'Ss  ci'  skin  wtiv  slmwn  nCl  to  full  advaiit- 
a,L;"t.',  1)\   ilic  liinsr  >lKiui  tliriiwn  al)i)ut  lirr  sliouMiTs — 
>ln.'  loniKi!  a  plcasiiijLr  pic  nrc  indeed,  tlirniiimini^  tlic 
string's  ni  uw  qnitar  to  accompany  a  voice  of  almost 
])!aintive    swei  tr.ess    and    posses>in^    to    the    full    tlie 
IH'cr.Iiar  ■^^ '("tne-.-  and  richness  of  the  Ma.^fvar  tonj^ne. 
lint   this   was  not   the  fi,:^nire  uliich   so  disconcerted 
the   \oun.-  artist.      X-ar  at   hand.   reclinin,t;-  with     asv 
assurance  n|)on  a  rni:;.  almost   at   the   feet   of       e  fair 
sin.ijer.    was    the   Spaniard    whom    he    had    lint    a    few 
minutes  since  heen  nrjiin,^-  his  father  to  dismiss   from 
the  castle.     "I'was  not  liis  presence  here,  so  nnich  a.s 
the  priAnkinL;'  air  of  Derfecl,  ease,   nei^dii^ent   content, 
which    marked    his    demeanor,    as    tliMUi^h    he    were    a 
])rivile<.,'ed    and    frerpuiit    \isitiir.    which    so    annoveu 
.Michael,     v\hi>    after    a    niument's    hesitatinn    at    t'lie 
tlireshold,  dnrini^'  which  he  was  minded  to  withdi-,  w,- 
came    fi)rw,ard    inti>   the    ronm    and    ads-ancin^j   to    the 
si<le  of  his  sister,  eluded  li' r  i)l;i\  fulle   fnr  liavin::^  of 
late  dejjrived  him  of  much  if  her  wonted  companion- 
ship,     lie  coiuinued    talkiiiLT   li,t,ditl\.    in   ;in    endi'avor 
to  coiuiu;uid  hi  r  uiidiviiU'd  atferitior    to  the  exclusio^^ 
of  CardeniM.  whose  presence  he  did   not  acknowdedi!fe 
])v   so  nuich   as   ,i   limk.      .\ima,   in   her  replies   strove 
to  include  her  xisitdr  in   the  ci mversalion,   remarkin',;' 
that    in    the    Seunr    de    ( ijud    she   h.ad    f-nnd    a    most 
Pfallant    suhstitute    for   hei    errant    hrotlur,    who   after 
all  she  attirnied  was  the  real  truant,  and  called  upon 
(ic  Caul  to  hoar  out  Iht  cMUention      This  the  polished 
courtier  rcadilv  did   tlmu-h   without   himself  dircctK 
addressing  Michael,  and  at  the  first  convenient  open- 


Cardcnio's  Fuir  Dttender.  77 

iiv;  ro^e  U>  witlidruu.  Tlrs  Ik-  aocunipli^lic'l  ami.l 
ilio  must  profuse  adieux  and  with  txa^'ycratod  .k-lrr- 
c  n.o,  l.ciulins  to  kiss  the  han-l  of  the  fair  Anna,  arrl 
rrlanuii-  it  in  his  -rasp  far  Lmijer  than  was  at  all 
,„.^.essary— at  least  so  lhou.i;lu  her  jealous  brother, 
as  he  also  noted  the  indulgent  smile  she  bestowed 
upon  him  and  the  cvi.lent  partiality  which  she  mani- 
fe>led  toward  this  sa>  cavalier. 

His   exit   was   scarcely   accomplished   ere    Michael 
broke  forth  vehemently — 

"Of  a  truth,  Anna,  I  marvel  how  you  can  submit 
t,)  have  that  scoundrel  kis>  vour  hand  as  thou.i;h  he 
\v,,re  some  favored  friend..  My  han.Is  fairly  ached 
but  now  to  seize  him  and  forcibly  hasten  lus 
departure,  when  he  lin-ered  so  in  makin-  his  fare- 
utUs;  and  that  most  surely  would  1  hav  done  had  I 
U(.t  my  father's  ex])ress  commands  to  have  no  further 
(piarrel  with  him." 

•AVhy,  brother!  Y'.n  surely  know  not  what  you 
sav.  l")on  Cardenio  is  a  kind  and  most  courteous 
ea'valier.  and  until  just  now  1  had  thou-lu  you  were 
most  friendly  with  him  And  Kt  me  remind  you.  sir, 
iliat  Anna  Dobozy  will  not  permit  such  treatment  ..t 
JKr  friends  in  her  own  apartnunts.  1  own  I  was 
,iiu,,-h  astonished  at  your  .li^ourtesy  '  .ward.  him. 
Wdn-  this  sudden  and  comi)lete  chan-e  in  your  re;.;ard 
for  our   <;uest?"  ,, 

"Doubtless  T  owe  you  ai^olo-y  for  iny  rudeness, 
n  turned  Michael,  -U.imI  to-day  1  had  endeavored  to 
be  most  courteous  tow.-'.rd  the  Spaniard,  as  T  shouH 
toward  any   other  of  my   father's   guests— though    I 


7^ 


lzi>!cl;i. 


i 


iiui>-t  cnni\'-N  tliat  try  ;i^  I  i.>i-lit.  T  C(Ui..l  \i>>\  brin.c; 
mysflf  to  like  Wau,  ;m>l  fi'^jn  wlial  I  liavc  .seen  this 
dav.  1  can  now  wi-li  ui    lri>;;.;ii!  ''rit  T  could  iv-' 

"Wliat  liath  lu-  doiu-?  Tel!  nu'  (luickl).  In  I'llli 
it  must  1)0  sonic  awt'r.l  cri.;  ■.liicli  dotli  so  inr  di 
exercise  niv  iioMe  ItoiIu  r."  litis  was  -aid  it'  such 
a  tone  of  li;df  banter  a>  to  still  intlier  incense  tlte 
ali'ea  1\    much  t:re(l  yoti,;,;-  painter. 

'"What  liaih  he  dcie?"  h>.  cried,  lie  ha.-;  done  that 
whicl-.  would  iiio-t  ijuickly  l)rii!'^  tlu  Mii-'i  of  sha-  u>, 
to  the  check  of  c-ach  |>nre  ;ui  1  virtuous  .nl^  '  who 
heard  of  it.  and  with-  tl  Mudics  a  tin^i^liu!.;  de-u-e  to 
lash  the  hound,  who  diJ.  .,.  A  sliort  \vh;le  since,  ju-t 
(nif.>;ido  the  villa.;;e,  I  hapt  up'  i  liini  mo  ,t  wanioiily 
and  crncdly  abusing  a  poor  village  maid,  !u  cause,  for- 
sooth, she  waxed  indignant  and  olijtcttil  to  his  nu- 
welcomc  cai\sscs,  whicl  he  \\onld  fai:;  force  upon 
h  r.  I  gave  him  one  generou>  hutYct,  and  wnuld  it 
had  been  a  dozen." 

To  his  intense  surprise,  the  fair  Anna  ligliily 
la'";hed,  and  instead  of  becoming  viriuously  ini..g- 
nai;t  at  such  <le|)ravity.  ])roceedvd  to  gently  rail  upon 
hiui. 

■"Triil..  tli"U  ;irt  becomin,';  a  brave  knight-errant 
iitv  good  Michael;  and  art  greatly  to  be  connneU'led 
f  'r  th\'  ]'ro!nptue-s  in  llsiu';  to  the  aid  of  lliis  village 


b'.aui  v.  uhi  >  (li  lU 


ibtless,  if  the  truth  were  told,  bears 


\on  no  goiid  will  for  liaving  arrived  so  iuoj.p.  ,rttmel; 


a  n  1  11 


uiiudi  realmv'  her  co\    rcsistence,  as  horn  of 


Ciirdciiiu's    I''iur    DcfcnJcr. 


79 


(iisliko,  to  have  so  roii-lily  rohlu'  1  her  of  llic  caresses 
uhich    doubtless    she    covr'e.l    much,    fmm    one    so 

Iiolilc." 

■■  1  !i  i\v  can  M  m  ^;icak  >ii  ii.ui'Liv , -^  ■'•■' •  .-.^•.-  ; 
,.ani,..t  L-u-;.  nic  v.  .'.-.ill  as  lo  have  nii-lakcn  the  uli-lc 
!nall>r  tliii^.  IV-'-'ve  inc,  his  ,lc-i-ns  were  of  ihe 
hase-t.  arM  uiicn  1  tell  )-n  that  the  yun-  -ir!  he  so 
ini-^u>c.l  was  Ix-Ma,  ,'xn  ...nutinies  pla\nia1e  \vlun 
V.--   w.re   all   ehihlren   to-eilu'r,   y<iii    will    ^\'•   b-n-cr 


:l.ml)t. 


this   IztjKla  r.iiw  any  i 


lilTcrcnl   from  ih.'  m-ny 


ither  iiea^ant    .L^irl 


was   the   C'lil 


ret.  rl.     "H.  .■asc 


\.'ur  rev 
j)err<i>t>.  H 
puest.      i 


ilii.-s,  l)rollier.  It  ill  heconi.  s  you  to  so 
lU  traihice  the  c'.iaracter  of  one  who  is  yn\r 
f    he    hath    actcl    lii;-htly    in    thi-,    matter,    it 


won 


M  he  hnt  after  the  manner 


.f  nrinv  ol  tho.^e  at 


he   Imperial  comi,  w 


lure  he  has  spent   '^o  mnch   of 


1  LMve  c'-e'lence  to  a  hii;her  motive  for 
le  hath  tol  1   me  (thon-h  it   was  in  all 
eonlhlence.  Inn   I  claim  free-lom  to  hreak  it  since  "lis 
hut  to  clear  liis  name),  that  he  has  he  "ome  one  of  the 


his  time.      Ihit 
h's   action. 


f.  illi  )\'.  ers  I 


■  f  the  •'Uistrioi'.s  Loyola,  ami  is  one  ot  t.-.al 


1.      His  i;rcat   ohject  is  tha.t   lie 
1  the  Craufl  TiKniisitor,  in  hrin-iiiLr  to  lii^Iit 


1  ;eler's  devolta  ban 


iiii!j:lit  ai 


ami    1 


1    justice    those   heretics   \v 


he)    are   tr.iitors   to   the 


faith   an^l   to    His    Holiness :   an       n 
f.hiect  of  his  vi^it  ti 


'J 
h',\\   far  th.' 


1  1  Imn'arv,  is  lo 


truth,  tlie    real 
learn  if  can  he, 


evil  111 


iri'us  ha\e 


ijire.ail  amon!:j  tl 


peoi 


lie.  for  it  is  reporteil  that  many  ot  the  peasantry 


8o 


Izuldu. 


.1.,  trillc  with  sticli  nialtrr^.  I  am  (jiiiU-  roady  tri 
l)clicv(.'  ll'at  his  passai;o  witli  the  inaiil,  was  hut  a  part 
ui  suim-  pl.iii  l"  luC'.iiu  fricniily  v>;;h  tht-se  stTVit^r^, 
ami  thus  -ain  knowli'<l.L;r  wliich  is  (k'nicil  liim  clsi-." 

Micharl  si.L^hr.l  aii.l  cra^vA  to  ar;,'uc.     'Twas  y\::\n 
that   tlic  crafty  scoundr.'l  Iiad  forstalldl  him,  am!   in 
aiiiicipr.tion   i,\   rxiidsurc.  had  iiistillrd  thi>  plaiisihio 
the  mind  of  liis  sister,  who  was  devoutly 


storv   into 
reliuious,   anc 


most    susce])tilile    side. 
clainud  : 


1   had   thus  lieen   ai)proached   upon   h   r 
vi^iiiLj   impatiently,   he   cx- 


,sa\'    no   more, 


Anna. 


W 


not    talk    of  the 


m 


alter  further.      'Tis  evident   that    1    am  on  the   un- 


pular  side 


le  to-d; 


IV 


o  lo  inv 


father   expeeti 


lUhtioe 


Init  finil  noiu 


come  111 


tiler  t( 


.  mpathy,  and  ai^ain  am    1   (li^api)oin 


)  VI  lU  expectm;; 
ted.     (  )h    llun- 


,L;ary 
a  crue 


H 


un: 


"arv  !     Mine  own 


ir  native  land  !     What 


recko 


nimr  must  t)e  m  store 


f(  )r  til 


r.ut  f: 


ire 


uu  e  w 
for   mv 


ell,  Mster.      I  depart  at  sunrise  u\»n\  a  mission 


fatl- 


er,  and  ne'-ire 


not    tt 


liave   an 


V  but   the 


kindliest  feeliuL's  toward  tliee  as  1 


If  Michael  could  have  li^held  his  sister  Ann;i,  soon 


r   he   lia<l   U 


■nee, 


lu    wouM   not   have 


niii 


il  her  so  harshlv.     Standm"-  m  the  centre  ( 


.f  her 


nnt)er  willi  liamls 


tiLihtlv  cleiiche 


ami 


li 


sionatids'  upon 


d  and  with  wh  * 
tla'^hiiu'   o\es   she    stamiied    her   foot    pa 


the  \l 


)or  aLram  ami  aL;ain  win 


le   she 


fairlv  hi 


^e< 


1  bet 


ween 


Tl 


U'   I 


her  t»-eth: 
ouble-tom/ued  villian,  to  coiue  and  talk  thus 


Card 


cnu)  s 


Fair   Dcf-ndrr. 


8i 


til  nu-  attc-r  liavinc:  made  Un^'  in 


Ic  \< 


that  li'^lit  fasliidii  to 


a  low-horn  i)oasaiU  ma 


\\  I  >nl'! 
■  tare:' 


mt    PK-    in 


111 


ill.      Who  knows  hut  that   h' 
r   if   lu'   (lid   Init 


anif   niaiiiu 


ami  ai^ain  she  stamped  her  foot  in  imi)otwm 


rai 


S' 


Izoldi 


CIIArTI'.K  \ 


AN 


lilM'liUirM.    .\KKI\AI. 


Kil     HI>     111 


'r. 'I 'IK  1 1    111 


lii>    l,ril    li\    an    un.L;la 


la/cil    window. 


.  lijrh   1m.  .kr<!   "in    111'"!!   ilu-   n-niL;-  p 


uiLT  jin-cipuTs  1 
1  )t'i/.sa  lay.  ut'ak 
tlinnulit— «!\i^.L,^ 


,i    ilu'    ■riaiisylvaniaii    Ai] 


ami    Irown- 
\li,:..    (  K'Mr.u'c 


wa-Ud  and — a^ 


lie  and  lii--  srrvUor: 


w  re 
mat 


,tKd  with  till-  L;r'.'at   trvcr, 
1    (if    InllurtM    ir.'ii    c<'U>\\ 


,ur    wrrk--    had    lu'    lun-iit    and 
,k.uli  had  ,L;ril'I"-'''  '1'*^" 


tnli'iu    and    candid    him. 
1  lud  and  had  I  v.  mi  .di.-ioc  wcmcd 
.ImnlHT   Mrrkdird    iM-n    th.'    hard    ll- -r   nf    iIk'    main 
hall    <ii'   hi--    half    ca'-iu 


,r  \car^  -C'  'nin 


hall     tarmdiMii-i- 


r.iiU'i 


1    in    a   Mankri    ni'""   t''^'  nmmiiain 


^-idc   I'lncalh 


iho   -tar^.   I' 


lir   lur.'   li.  Ipk'--^   and   racked    w  rA\   \ 


h   nain. 


cntivi 


U    dri-rndrnl    llu'    uhiK-    iq-n    tlu'    nM--    ^crvic. 


,1     til.,     two     luiichnun     and     rlunmaiK- 


Id 


\\  I  >;i 


i:m,    \\\h'  hr->idr  him-ili    wiri 


tho   oiih-   mv'mlK!-: 


'f   ni^   nr-Krtdl   liMii-ilit 


kiv  ahno-i  a 


!   iKath  --  'h»<y.  V.  rrt,'  i 


Tlu'-i'.   I'viMi  ii"W,  :i^  lu' 
nLraL:c<t  in  ;i  W'lrdv 


war 

tM      th 


f;irc   in   ihc  1  ilrlu-n  Ih'vmh.I,   alivadv   <ina 


rrclniLr  a-; 


pc  .-.si'vsi.  n 


>\   i)urk'mmL:.  i>ri.ir  u 


if  !lu'   \'a\  \'> 


,\   Mudi  thin.;-  as  thcv  ha'l  iM-d-pirt 
!r.   the  steward 


the  e''n:iM-;ii\iin 


,li,eh   the\    well   knew    WMiild    f^ulnw 


rki^e    HI""!    the    departure    < 
t!ic  buily  e'f  iheii   niaster. 


if      the    breath    from    out 


An   Opporrunc   Arrivul. 


«.? 


Tliiii'is  bail  iiv^:i\\\   i-liani;r.l  witli   l)>i/-a  siiuc  ttii 


vrar-  tnh  'Vv. 


"Inn 


\\a^  IK 


~t  ri  'iiLj  and  vi.^nrou- 


\u- 


\-.  dUU 


ln-tuccn  wh"!!!  ;'.M.!  liini 


liini^>  If  tluTf  r\i-t. 


liiiud    "i   tlu'    iiii.^t    !> 


lie    (lc\i  iliiiii.    was    C'lii- 


-laiith-  at   lii--  MiU'.  a  sharer  in  all  Ins  ]> 


1  1- 


■is,  u 


luK-  th'/ir  I'tllr  ilauL;1iirr  i/..I,'a  \\a^ 


ans  anil  nn:- 


tlu'   liLlllt 


11(1  Miiisliinr  III  his  liMiiK'.      Ill'  wa^  n^t  rich,  vrt  ua- 


iinnirasurra 


!,lv    luHcr    "IV    than 


ilu-    (i-iun-tn 


a-anirv,    wlm   an    a 


.lit    h'.ni    sini;4i:iii 


iddi'U 
hare 

(■\istcnc-i-.      (  )l   -entU-  hKHMJ.  lu-  luld  hi^.  small  eMate 
Mihiect   indeed  to  the  Nasvode,  yet   not  as  servitor; 


hut   rather  as  an  allv  wh^  ise 


his  sntt'icien 


common  nUiTests  were 


1  MH-ities.      r.ut  crnel  death  had  stolen  a- 


a   thief  into  that    h 
whom  he  wa^  so  |i 


.me,  and  car-ried  off  the  iiia.te  m 
le>>ed.      Almost  enislied  with  i;rief. 


he  (juicklv  did   niaki'  -tern    rt 

f 


-olve,   and    |ilacint 


'ilv  child  in  the  kiepinL;^  of  hi-    si-1 


■r  at    Marot,  lu 


heneef(irlh  i 


levoted   him-elf   wnh   .all   his   ener.L,M( 


-*    to 


tlu-  warl.are  with 


the  Tur' 


.re  )''ress 


on    t 


he-e,    the    out 


d'ire  than 


ad   lie  rai 


which   was  in  constant 
Nkirts    of    the    kiiiL;"doin. 
tied  the  -r.itituile  of  the 


\a\\.id.e     for    his    ce.asiless     \i-il,ii,c«. 


ami    tireless 


i!er.i;\'  m 
iiid  n  siiec 


the  feats  .it  strell 


these  stru-;^des.  His  iir.'Wess  was  known 
led  alike  !■>  friend  and  foe.  .and  many  were 
'^\h  eredite.l  t.i  him-s.)  much  so  that 


1. 


e   W  ;is  ( I 


lien  ret'-rn 


d  to  as  "1 InnsaiH  the  Second. 


r.m    at    le!iL;th   had   Com*'   .a  jieriod   ol   (|niet. 


marar.  liir.;'  i-xiiec 


litioiis  of  the  inli.lels,  so  vigorously 


resist.' 1.  hecanu'  iiior..'  rare  ;ini 


1  ;it  last,  for  the  time 


c<'ase.l  entirelv.      1  ).'.zs;./s  s,,ldii-rs,  wIm  f.ir  the  most 
part,  were  peasaiUs  occuiiyiui;  lamls  of  the   various 


H 


l/ulda. 


Tra!)<vl\;iiii.;n  imlilcs.  \\  i  it  1i\  tlu-sr  i".'ill<-il  up' mi  I'p 
iIi'^l);lll(l  ami  rittini  in  tlir  li!l;r^^'  ct  tin.'  -"il.  lii  whi/li, 
I'l.r  tlu'ir  nia^tc-r-.  llurf  ua^  tar  iiiMrc  nl  jinilit  tliaw 
in  iluir  cani;)ai,i;iniiL; :  ami  tlu'M.'  lU-mamU  wvrv  av- 
criU'il  to  l>v  the  \ayviiiK',  in  ulmsi'  ])a\  iIk-  -dl  Hi  T'^ 
wire.  Tlii-.,  (U'sjiiti-  the  siriniMus  opiiusitn  in  <<[ 
Di'izsa,  who  i)ointc(l  out  that  tlii'  I'riHiloui  ot  tin- 
jirovuKT  from  the  inonr-ion-,  of  iluir  .-niniii-s,  was 
ihu-  to  the  |iroui--s  i.f  ih.sr  \(,r\  troojis,  auil  that  to 
(hshau'l  them  was  hut  to  nivilr  fresh  attaek^.  j'.ut 
all  liis  ar,L;uriunts  wrre  in  vain.  .\t  the  worst,  the 
(lanL;ers  ]\v  recilt'ii  scmu'il  now  reuMie,  ami  the  llun- 
^ariau  miMcs  were  all  too  far  smik  in  their  dis^raci'- 
ful  cour.se  iif  SI  If  interest  ami  entire  disregard  of  the 
puhlic  weal,  to  In'  turned  from  their  i)ur])osis  hy  this 
man  whom,  llMm^h  in  linir  of  w.ir  they  were  <inite 
williuL;  to  looh  u])  to.  aeeord  uustiutiui:;  honor  and 
defen-nce,  in  tune  of  peace  the\  were  quite  :is  willintj; 
to  dro])  hack  into  a  posiiiMii  of  obscurity. 

r.itterlv  incensed,  at  such  um^r.ateful  treatment, 
Dozsa  threw  up  his  mililai'\-  dmunand,  and  retired 
to  mtrse  his  wratli  in  the  sidusioii  of  his  own  small 
estate,  which  was  now  smaller  than  ever,  for  he  had 
not  s])ared  his  own  means  wlu-n  moiies"  was  ri.'(iuired 
to  i)ro])erlv  i'i|uip  his  followars.  l"or  such  e.xpendi- 
ture  he  rtcei\eil  no  return  and  hut  little  thanks  from 
the  \'a\vode  xvhilc  fir  his  own  ser  ices,  tliou.!.jh 
hi,L;hK'  j)raised  at  times,  he  received  no  i>ecrniary  re- 
ward. Himself  fedin;;-  keenly  the  ])inch  of  poverty, 
he  the  more  rcadih  svuipathized  with  the  complaints 
uf  the  peasantry,  who,  many  of  them,  bein;,'  long  used 


An    (  )p|H)rtwiR'   Arn\'al. 


85 


I'l  tlu  !>(  r  Imiii  1,1  i!i(  ir  lil'c  in  caiii]>,  lunv  coiu-i  i\ cl 
ii  ,1  Lirrai  liariUliii'  !'■  l>e  ci>nij)t.'ll('l  Id  I.il)iir  iii  tho 
tuliU  Iriiiii  early  iiiorn  to  suiisit.  i"i  a  li.iii'  miIi- 
sistrnrc  mily — thr  lion's  sliare  of  lli<'  finit>  I'f  tli<  if 
l,i!",r  lu'iiiL,'  a^  ii^ual  claiinf<l  !)y  \hv  laii'lln'Mt  rs. — 
ami  sMutC'l  liy  liis  own  e\l)crii'nci',  lli.  ili-apjHiititril 
siililur  lent  a  rcadx'  rar  to  llu-  iiana!i"ii  of  tlu'ir 
prif\  anci'S,  until  at  la^t  lu-  Iia'I  Iiccmiik-  a  Mmni^ 
i-Iia!ii|'i'  '11  '  'f  the  i)ca>ant  -  1  i  ,ill  1  hnr  ili^putr^  w  'tli  the 
n  'hli  s.  'I'liis  rcndml  his  isolation  from  all  ■  ■(  his 
I 'w  II  s.  u'ial  statr  ' '!  I,  i\  coni|'l>  Ir,  ami  How  that  he 
hail  I'alKn  a  vietiiii  to  diseaso,  Iii>  utter  loneli;us>  l)e- 
eanie  most   -iiarke'l. 

lie  hail  ma'lf  a  l'ra\c  stru.L:'.;le  ac:;ainst  tlii-~  fever, 
hut  seemiiii^ly  witlioul  avail.  (  )f  late  he  hail  heen 
t^^raihiallv  L^^rowiiitj  weaker  aiil  weaker,  uiilil  at  last 
he  felt  eonstrameil  to  ;iilmit  to  himself,  that  he,  the 
victor  in  m;m\'  an  uiui|ual  eiUMimler,  was  at  la^^t 
nieetiuLj  ilefiat,  au'l  was  furceil  to  eonelude  that  his 
remaim'ni;  time  on  earth  was  hut  a  matter  of  a  few 
ila\s  at  hest  — iit.Tha]'>  hours.  This  alteruoon  he  had 
lueonie  iilunui^d  in  a  lU'ej)  rexcrie,  which  had  a.ll  the 
outward  ajjpearaiu-e  of  a  stupor,  and  was  so  reL,^'lrded 
hy  one  of  his  servitors,  who  came  in  and  fuidin,^  him 
so,  conehided  th.at  the  end  was  fa--t  ap|)roachin^-,  and 
hastil\'  retiring.;'  reiiorted  thus  to  his  companions.  The 
thri'e,  1aui,du  hy  the  example  of  their  sujieriors  to 
ihiiils  of  all  thinii's  oidy  in  the  liudit  in  which  tliey 
atTeeted  their  own  inunediate  wxdfart',  lost  no  time  in 
nppriiprial  in.';,  each  to  him-elf,  all  that  there  sceiued 
hkvlihoi.l  (if  liis  111  in l;  ahh/  to  conceal,  and  leavini^ 


MICROCOPY    RESOLllTION    TEST    CHART 

ANSI  ond  ISO  TEST  CHART  No    2 


1.0 


I.I 


•sua 

3  2 
It     1^ 


II  2.5 

j|2.2 

2.0 
1.8 


1.25 


1.4 


1.6 


_J  /APPLIED  IM/IGE     Inc 

=1  1653   East    Mair    Sireel 

r-=  Pocheslef.    New   York        14609       USA 

.=  l?16)   *82  -  OJOO  -  Phone 

^=  (715)   288  -  !i989  -  Fax 


86 


Izolcla. 


f^ 


tlic  -ni)]io^(Mll\-  'lyini^  man  tn  nuxl  ilfath  alone,  with 
wlial  l'i>rtiluiii-  li>-  imuII  iiiu-.tcr. 

Mcaiiuiiilc  i)i'i/sa"s  rewriv  liail  nut  heen  alto;^cllicr 
unjtk'asant.  lie  liwil  a;;aiii  the  days  nf  liis  stnmi:; 
\oung  inanliDoil,  wlirii  life  deemed  all  Jm\-  a;iil  'glad- 
ness, lie  lived  a-ain  tliMv-c  jnyoiis  da\s  wliirli  he 
and  his  iair  \Mun:^'  wile  had  -jienl  in  snch  sweet  tnii- 
s'ln  dt  l,i\c  and  Iim].!-.  lie  a,L:ain  with  her  IninL:  in 
thankt'idne>s  and  pride  ii\er  the  sleejiin'^  furni  of  the 
little  dauL;i:Ur,  wiio  had  come  to  Mess  and  ,;.,dve  siill 
greater  L;ladni'ss  to  their  clondle^s  live^ ;  and  lie 
jdayc'd  once  more  with  that  little  one,  in  the  '/av  romp 
and  chase  ah' 'lit  the  hilNido.  And  then  the  shadow 
came.  A^^ain  he  !i\ed  throne;!!  those  sad  antl  uearv 
\\t'il<s,  wlien  he  had  alternately  cnrse.j  and  jirawd  at 
the  hedside  ot  his  id'.l.  who,  crnslied  liv  a  fall  from 
her  horse,  was  lated  after  two  months'  dail\'  aLV'i^'. 
at  la-t  to  meet  death's  coM  i-mhrace  and  he  torn  fror.i 
the  arms  i,\  h,  r  1  .v^r  Inishand.  A.<;-ain  he  marked 
the  tearful,  sleailfast  ,L,^i/e  of  the  |)itifnl,  (inestioninLj 
face  of  the  little  maiden,  who  lik-,-  a  small  shadow 
clo,c^t:^ed  her  father's  fo.  )tsteiis.  in  toiudiin;.;,  li'Ijiless 
ende.ivor  to  liL;hten  tlu  eniel  hnnlen  l;e  had  to  hear. 
lie  wem  attain  throiiLdi  the  hiitiT  wrench  of  the  part- 
iiii;  from  that  sami'  litiie  mie,  as  he  nnclapsrd  the 
clin,L;inL;-  fniL^ers  from  ali<iut  his  ne(d<  and  almost 
ron-hlv  thru-t  her  awav  fi'om  him.  in  vain  effMrt  lo 
hide  the  a,i;itati"n  which  nii;dit  he  c<iii-,icli  ri'd  as  nn- 
manly  grief,  when  he  had  tal-.eii  linal  leave  of  her  at 
his  sister's  threshoM  .and  tmiied  hi-  \-\ci:  like  a  Hint, 
♦oward  the  Tnrkisii  li^rders      (  Mi,  how   he  lon_"-od  to 


ri> 


An    Oppurtunc   Arrival. 


87 


feel  ctnce  more,  llie  tiiucli  nt  those  soft  arms  about 
his  neck,  and  to  li-ii-n  to  ihc  innocent  chatter  ol  the 
ins;enious  maiden.      Dcatii,  hr  t\U   wmLl  I'C  roliln  1 
of  all  its  terror-,  c  aiM  he  hwi   liave  her  there  at  his 
hedsi(k>  and  lioM  her  li.ar.d  in  hi.^  :  an.d  a  hitter  re-ret 
entered  his  lieari  that   lie  liad  separated  liimself  from 
Ikt  forever.     'Prnc,  h.e  had  heheved  it  In-tter  lor  the 
child   to   he    in    sal\t\,    while   he   v,;'.>   snl'ject   to   the 
varvinj;   chances   of   war;   hut,    wh\-   had   lie    not    ;ir- 
ranijed   for  her  to  come  to  him  a'j;ain  when  he  had 
returned  to  the  '|uiet   of   his   little  ca>tle?      Mayhap, 
had  lur  .uentle  mini-terin--  hand->  heeii  near,  it  mi-ht 
have  fared  otherwise  with  hiin  in  his  sickness.     .And 
after  all  had  he  made  lur  ]..  .ntioii  anv  m<ire  secure^ 
r.etter  surely  for  her  to  he  suhjecl  to  the  cruel  alarms 
and   terrors   of   war,   tli.an    lettered   to   the  drudi::ery, 
slaverv   and   indiijnity   of  a   peasant    liirl's   existence. 
Tiiese.    and    varyinij    tliou-hls    i)assed    throu-h    Ins 
heated  brain  in  quick  succession  tmtil,  unmarked  by 
him,  the  iiij^ht  had  fallen,  and  the  cool  dew  descend- 
ing- without,  chilled  the  ni.t^dit  air  which  came  creeiv 
iiiL,'  throiit^di  the  o]Hn  window,   so  that   he   -shivered 
as  he  lav,  which,  startlintj  him  from  his  reverie,  made 
himpersiiadcdthat  the  last  stru,<;.t;lc  was  already  be- 

ginninc:. 

"Well,"  he  muttered  to  himself.  "If  this  tny  jour- 
ney throu-li  life,  be  eudiipi,'-  now,  'tis  time  a  i)riest 
were  snnnnoned  hither  to  shrive  me,  and  make  me 
readv  f.  ,r  mv  etitiTim:  into  that  other  world.  fTo, 
GreL^orv.  llillu-r,  Simon.  Wdiv  .answer  \(iu  not  mv 
call'"      I'm  lhou,L;h  lie  ,-liouted  and  called  and  called 


88 


J/olda. 


apain  no  one  came  near  au'l  Ins  very  voice  seemed  to 
niuck  Iiini  in  his  (jcsolatioii.  wliilc  out  of  the  ploom 
wliicli  s(.'tti(.'(l  rounil,  sin'ctral  ii>nns  miw  wcri'  t^atluT- 
iu<^,  ami  null  .-il)lMTini;  tMii-iu's  appearrd  to  taunt 
liini  as  he  cailnl.  (  )h.  iiorinrs  ihrice  conipoundc'l. 
Mn>t  lie  'he  tlni-.  "  'I'hn^  urctchii!  ua--  Iiis  cml  to  he? 
The  thiiu-lit  ua^  niatMeuing,  and  again  and  aJ,^•lin  ho 
cried  aloud. 

h'i)r  two  Iiour--,  I'nll,  ih's  lasted,  tlien  eanu-  a  hill. 
ICxhaustt'd  hr  lay  Lark  in  the  dense  darknes^;,  while 
a  hush  which  was  nini.-itural  fell  around,  to  accent n- 
ate  the  sulTerin-  oi  hi-,  knuly  vigil.  lUit  hark!  Is 
not  that  a  stej)  he  hears  without  hiv  window?  He 
strains  his  ear  to  listen.  .Ml  is  .silent  again  and  he 
is  persuaded  that  his  faculties  are  now  failing  and  do 
hut  deceive  him.  IhU  again  he  hears  the  soinid,  and 
now  it  seeniecl  that  a  voice, --strange  to  him  and  vet 
not  altogether  strange,  which  faintly  stirs  some  long 
forgotten  memory — breaks  the  stillness  and  is  the 
sweetist  nuisic  to  his  ears  that  ever  ravished  them. 
Akiud.  he  calls  onci.'  more. 

"(.'ome  hither,  frien<l.  whoe'er  it  chance  thou  art. 
tnake  h.asic  to  come  to  nie."  Tiie  step  is  now  within 
the  hall,  and  straining  to  jiieree  the  gloom,  he  is  con- 
scions  of  an  indict  met  form,  while  a  soft  voice  asks 
in  doiiht,  as  the  footf.all  h'sitates,  an<l  seeme<l  half- 
inclined  to  flee. 

"\\  ho  calK?^     Who  now  has  need  of  me?" 
"I.eavi-  me  not    I   prav!"  he  gasps  in  aii  agonv  of 
fear.     "  "['is  I.      "j'i .  H.Vsa.  and   1  havt-  --ore  need  of 
thee.     Whoe'er  thou  art.  if  one  spark  of  human  pit\ 


An  Opportune  Arrival. 


cS9 


Iurk>  in  tlioo,  s|it'o<l  quirkly  I  lie^ttcli.  an'l  fctcli  nnc 
to  slirivr  my  soul  vrv  \<'t  it  l)iiisl>  the  liai>  and  wings 
it-'  llii;lit  to  rcaliii'^  of  ucc" 

A  little  rr\,  a  tmnIi,  ami  tlinsc  snft  arin>,  lie  lia'l 
but  iinw  hcfii  (Ircaniitij;  m,  an'  close  about  bis  ucck 
while  kisses  sweet  are  presseil  >ipoii  his  brow. 

"My  father!  Xo,  von  must  r.ot  die;  for  I  am  come 
to  brincj  von  back  to  streiiLjtb.  .\o.  no!  1-^ir  lif:  we 
b'lth  will  fi.!.;ht  our  utmost,  (."onu'.  I  will  a  li.L.lit  ob- 
tain, and  bathe  thv  achinij  head  and  smoi>di  tliv 
|>illowed.  Trnl\  did  that  voice  speak,  wiien  it  said  to 
me,  'Thv  father  has  need  ui  thee."  " 


M 


90 


izokhi. 


(TIArTKR  VIT. 


ciU)Si:x  TO  r.i.An. 


]!..\v  Izolila  Di'izsa  tra\  orsi.!  the  weary  way  from 
the  i|niet  villa-e  of  the  Alf.M.l  to  that  far  off  Tran- 
sxlvaiiiaii  liiilside.  or  how  .she  h;iil  suh>isteil  ihiriii.i; 
the  tMil-oine  JMurnev,  site  could  not  well  have  told. 
With  ehithiiiL;-  in  ra-s  ;  feet  and  hands  scratched,  cut, 
li'ieeilinLT  and  swollen,  liy  the  hnslies  of  the  lorests, 
the  stiiius  of  tl;e  roadside  and  the  ceaseless  lram])int; 
yet  she  had  pressed  forward,  imjxdled  onward  by 
some  striin'4  incentive — she  knew  not  what,  save 
tii.it  a  deeii-ronted  imjires^idii  had  taki.'n  ])ossession 
of  her  mind  that  the  father  wh(.)m  she  had  tiot  seen 
f>  .1  >' I  liini:,  now  had  jjressinj^  need  of  her;  and  im- 
jikantc'd  in  her  he.art  was  the  stront,^  detenn.ination  tc 
ri  .ich  him,  no  matter  what  or  who  -hould  seek  to  in- 
terfert'  or  >tri\e  to  turn  her  hack.     To  liim  she  hat! 


o 

1- 

ad 

She 


terfert'  or  .^tri'.e  to  turn  her 

heen  called  by  tli;it  m\  steriou>~  midnii^ht  voice.  She 
meant  to  o(i,  and  hen!  all  her  eneriL^^ies  to  the  task, 
iiow  she  hail  fi'und  the  ri^ht  wav  or  li'iw  lorn:  she 
h;id   l-.een    in    rcichini;-  In  r   destination,    she  knew    not 


.  ,,, as   the    fact    that 

urt      and  a    iov   to  coinjiensate  for  all 


uft'icieiit    fnr  her   w; 


-he  \v;is  nnw  her*  and  a  jov  to  coinjiensate  for  all 
her  h;ird,slni'-  .and  tiials  w.a^  it  that  sIk-  liad  not  come 
too  late.     The  iirivati'-iis   and   jiain   she   had  endured 


Chosen   to    Lead. 


9' 


sank  into  tin-  ImcKl;]-' uiiid  a>  iii^i.cjnificant,  now  tliat 
sli<'  was  aMc  l<i  minister  to  tlie  cotnfort  of  the  i-.iva!iii, 
uho  uniKr  lur  tender  sulieitons  care  seemed  to  rally. 

With  the  dill  hand  .-uid  ready  tact,  which  only  a 
lovin'.^^  W'lmati.  servini;  the  (ihject  e.if  her  affectmn. 
p(jssesses,  lz.;]da  had  (inickl>-  transfonne'-l  the  in- 
valid's snrronndin-s.  Instead  of  l>int(  in  a  corner  of 
the  main  hrdl,  as  heretofore,  she  had  iirejtared  liis  <iwn 
ehamiier  I'nr  his  reception — that  chamber,  which  since 
the  death  of  his  heart's  ma.te  he  had  not  until  now 
occnpied — .and  the  heil  which  had  hitherto  Ihtii  one 
of  pain  and  snfferini;-  hecanie,  ninUr  lur  deil  manipti- 
lation-.,  almost  a  conch  of  ease  and  ln\nr\.  '1  he 
t\\(i  male  servitor->  were  maile  to  move  with  r.n  alac- 
rity to  which  they  had  lon^'  heeii  strangers,  while  the 
<;\psv  woman's  slovenly  services  i;;ive  jdace  to  honest 
endeavor  to  ])lease.  If  anx'  one  ot  the  trio  fill  the 
slii^htest  inclination  t-)  rehel  at  the  dictation  of  this 
youns  mistress,  one  i;lance  at  those  inercin^  black 
eves  and  the  imiierious  jioise  of  that  shaitly  head  was 
snfl'icient  to  i)nt  to  Hi^lit  any  snch  base  desire:  (for 
nmch  of  the  soldiirly  bearin.L;  and  nhlitary  exactin^- 
ness  of  the  father  was  rejirodnced  in  the  child).  Xot 
that  she  ruled  throu-h  fe.ar,  for  tlu'y  soon  s^rtw  to 
take  deli.L,dit  in  the  service  of  the  i^rim  warrior's  only 
(lanu:hter. 

(  )ft  would  Izolda  sit  beside  the  invalid's  cmich  and 
stroke  back  Ljemlv  from  his  brow  those  grizzled  locks 
from  winch  all  caressiiipr  tonch  had  so  loni^'-  been  ab- 
sent, while  he  in  fotid  contentment  would  lie  for 
horns,  indul,L;ini;  m  sweet  reniembr.uices  <^f  the  dear 


t    I 

'J 
I 
1 


92 


I/olda. 


one  l"n^  l"'-t.  an'l  ,ilni">t  |i<  i^na'lr  liiin-rlf  tli:it  she 
livfil  a,u;aiii— a.s  li\i'  iinl-i'l  --lir  ili'l  in  the  piT'^mi  of 
lu-r  chil'l.  Sill',  in  i\mv[  nv  i  ir  lln'  wliilc  wi'uM  rc- 
i- ;!1  iIiM>e  rliihlisli  <Iay>.  ulun  lure  ab^nt  lli' --e  vrry 
l:il!s  ami  t'nri'-ts,  she  with  tlu'  h"v  Miriiacl  had  so 
often  ]ila<e'!;  hut  with  lhi--c  nr' ihrcti.  in>  thi  !i'  cvtv 
ra.iin-  a  senM'  nf  sa.'hi'  --  aid  a  chili  ai'hr  a!  lirr  lieart, 
as  sh.c  t')!(l  hcrsilf  th;t  tho^c  da\  n.  imw  i^mu'  fonvor, 
were  the  >\\eeti-t  --lie  .^hmild  i^vvv  know,  and  t!i,il  the 
one  wlio  \\a>  lu  r  hero  Uu'ii  (and  \\a>  still,  il  she 
Would  hilt  admit  iti.  found  in  her  his  heioiur  no 
loitimT,  hut  iu-iead  the  eoinnioii  ]ieasant  girl,  to  Ijc 
caresseil  or  tlouted   at    his  plea.-ure. 

(  IradualK  I'ozsa  j^satlured  streiiLMh.  and  heforc 
loiijr  all  dan-er  of  a  fatal  iMidin.L^  to  his  illness  was 
fori^otten.  In  I'ourse  of  time  he  arose  from  off  the 
bed  he  had  ne\er  exjiected  to  lea\i'  in  lifi',  and  sat  in 
the  dining;  hall  or  kiielun,  watchini^'  in  ijuiet  eoutent- 
menl  the  eomiu'^'s  and  c'liniLi^s  ,,\  the  hnstliiiL:  maid, 
who  that  he  no  longer  lu-eded  her  eonstant  cari.', 
turned  her  atieuli'iii  to  other  matters  and  had  hes^nin 
a  ei'asiKss  rummaue  into  ,-dl  sorts  of  nook.>  runl  cor- 
iier>,  hrin.i^injj;  to  lii^ht  mu<-li  k'ni^^  f(  .ri^otteii  ruhhi-li, 
a  ,[jreat  deal  (if  wliiidi  had  hut  ^-hort  resurrection  ere 
it  iieri>lieil  h\  tile  ikuiie',  iT  otduT  it,Miohle  aL,^'nc\' : 
and  out  of  what  was  chaos,  soon  came  forth  a  well 
ordered  and  couifortiii'^  dome-tie  course  of  li\'iu,L;'. 
]t  pleased  him  so  to  wa.tch  her  th;il  'twas  almost 
with  rei;'ret  he  felt  hi-  stren^'ih  riturnin^',  and  now 
I'ad  small  excuse  to  linLrcr  lonor,.r  jti  <vr\\  nivvoutcd 
ease  and  idh  ue>-.     lie  went    fiiilli,  *  ;icouraL;<'d  h-/  her 


Chosen   to   Lead. 


93 


L^ood  exami'U',  to  make  without  the  same  rctdrnis 
-!u'  iiad  within,  nii'l  strove  Im  niakr  thi'  I>est  of  what 
was  left  til  him  <<i  tirl  i  and  i .  i\-t .  \->  uhieli  till  now 
he  had  in  truili  .L^ivcu  hul  seant  attention.  His 
wonted  vii^or  had  imt  for  Innij;  returned  to  him.  ere 
iinedav  thne  horsemen  drew  rein  heiore  the  eiitranee 
and  SMtii^dit  admissiitii.  anni>unein,^  that  lhe\  were 
CDUie  upon  an  inii)"rlant  mi-<ii>n  to  tlu-  ni'i-t  illnstri- 
I  ais  (.'onnnandrr  1  )>  '/sa. 

With  his  dan.L;lit(.i  hy  his  side,  l)u/sa  reeeived  the 
emissaries  with  stately  omrti-y,  at  tlu'  d')iir  of  the 
main  hall;  and  as  the\  approaeheil  ;ind  Imkcd  euri- 
iiuslv  ui)on  the  famous  caiitain,  they  cotdd  n<>t  hut 
opine  that  the  tall,  nui-cular  and  coiumandini;  ii.ixure. 
with  the  stron,:^;  face  and  massive  forehead  over  wlneh 
drnr.pod  a  stray  lock  of  strai.^dit  ircMi-t^rey  hair,  and 
from  under  wiiieh  piercini^  black  eyes  shot  forth  (jues- 
tioninj.;  L;lances,  their  brightness  heislitened  by  Ins 
r.eent  fever,  did  by  no  means  bilie  the  reputation  of 
the  noted  Christian  cham|>ion.  The  fresh  beauty  of 
the  maiden  by  his  side  was  eidianced  by  the  contrast 
to  his  ruL,^La-d  streng-th,  and  more  than  one  sLance 
was  east  sidewise  by  two  of  the  couriers  while  their 
spokesman  was  i-ni^aij^cd  with  her  father. 

•'We  briuLT  yon  .qreetiiv^'s,  noble  Sir,  from  TTis 
r,rac"  Archbishop  Ilakacs,  and  are  char.ued  with  a 
,nost  important  missiiMi  from  him  to  you." 

Surprised  aivl  somev.hat  concerned  as  to  what  their 
eommunication  from  this  exalted  churchman  mi.L;ht 
1m-.  he  nevertheh-s  checked  all  aiipearatice  of  umisual 
interest  and  cordiallv  inviting  them  into  ihc  dining- 


H 


94 


l/.nMa. 


i 

t 

II 

i 


hall,  in>i>tc(l  niJ^n  th'ir  rcfrf-liiiiL:  thoinsfht'-^  ere 
tln;\  ]ircici-t'(k'ii  l>'  iiii:'"M  tli«ir  iiii-.si(in.  Xi'irr  t'lK'ir 
\v;in;>  liail  Ikth  lilK'ra!l\  i)r.i\i^K"l  inv  iI/nMa  lirr>i-lt 
waiting  iiiiiiu  IiK-m  I,  In-  >i,L;iiilK'l  llial  hr  wmiM  ,L;Iaiil'-' 
li-ltii  tM  t!u-  nu»a,m',  uliicli  ili''  illuMni.ii^  \rrli- 
lii-IiMp  liail  i!fii^iu'<l  l<»  liijiior  liiin  uiUi.  Uriilly,  it 
w  a--  t!ii>  : 

'I'lu'  Ilnl\  I'ailuT  at  Iv'iiK'  \va^  ilrrjilv  ,l;i-:''\  cil  at 
till'  iiiriiails  wliich  iln'  infuKl  iMnK-.  "i'  tlir  l-'a-t  lia'l 
I'f  lati.'  ^'1  ]KT-i-tintl\  niailr  ujn'ii  tin-  ^'Hiilurn  ar..l 
eastern  euiitines  uf  luiri  i|)(.'. — riieriiai-liincnt^  wliiili 
liad  Iiien  luM  in  clieik,  duly  1)\  the  >]iKnihil  eal'ir  nf 
thi-  I  liinL;ariaii  patri^'N,  wh^  S' >  dTi  eli\  e!y  ri'>iste  1 
thrir  aihanei' — ami  alaniuil.  lot  while  tli  ■  (  hri^tiaii 
jJiiiuT-^  anil  niihirs  were  rn^r' is^nl  w  i;h  tlu-  allair^, 
eaeh  lit  hi>  own  '■late,  and  faeli  lent  x\\hi:]  In^  iiwn 
aniliitiiiu^  st-licnn-,  tin  ir  ^nhtlc  and  i\rr  waki-l'i;! 
enmu.  ^li^uM  pn^li  l""r\\aril  In^  i  anp.  .•^t'^  nnlil  a'! 
was  in  rcadino'.  tu  ^ri/i-  a  la\<irahli-  niijiortnnitv'  t^i 
ji'inr  in  his  truMps  and  (iwrrnn  tin'  whc.'.i.'  land.  Me 
had.  ihi'i'ri'iire.  al  the  snL;L;i"-tii  in  i>\  I'lakars.  dreided 
n|iiin  'he  ]i;'"elainatiiin  ni  a  ern^adK  ,  whieh  it  was 
lifiiKi!  Wdiild  l)e  taken  tii>  with  ^icat  zeal  li\  lie'-e 
.gallant  waniurs  win*  had  ^f  la'.e  years  prii\ed  that 
the  l!nn;;ana.n  kiiiudMin  was  tin-  \(r\  hnlwark  iif 
the  (  hristian  winld.  T^  the  Andihislmp  tlun  had 
heeii  <!>iiiitrd  ilic  nriMtii/ati. m  i.f  this  nnhK'  cnter- 
])rise.  whieh  enniniissinn  Ik.'  had  hn  n  w,(dl  jileased 
tu  aeeept  and  h;;d  alreadv  pushed,  ihc  undii'takinL^ 
well  "II  tli,'  highway  tn  success.  ddim.iL;'!!  met  hy 
striiti;;'   (ippn^itidii    fniin   a   section   of   the   nohles,   his 


Clioscn  to   Tcacl. 


''5 


ri.inisels  liaii  i)n\  aiU-.l  in  tlu-  Diet,  aivl  the  call  to 
anil'-— liirtrtfil  iiriuri])allv  {<>  tlic  pra-antry. — lia^l 
litrii  i->>iU(i.  am!  \\a-  iiiri'tin.uT  with  rcaMx'  rf>i>Miiso 
fn.ni  ail  I'aris  (if  tlic  laml.  A  >uital>lc  Icaik-r  for  tins 
L^H'at  ciUiTiiri^i'  was  a  uvM  important  factor;  aii'l, 
nilUu-nccd  by  the  talcs  of  iKTsonal  prowess  ami  >uc- 
ce>sful  (.■n^a,iL;cnicnt-  aIUi  tlu-  Tnrks  of  (  .for^a-  I ).  ./-a, 
I'.akacs  hail  iKcidnl  that  in  hiiii  was  lo  he  fonn.l  the 
man  hc-t  -uitid  to  K-ail  tiir  snnu'what  niotlrv  army 
which  was  now  iH-iiij,-  as'^l  niliK'l.  lie  han  sent,  llnre- 
fi.re.  to  offer  the  comniand  of  the  cxiieilition  to  h.  n  ; 
— >upre!iie  C'^ninian-l,  -uhjict  only  to  his  general 
siiperxi-i'in.  WouM  he  accept  th.-  trn^t  ami  ju-~tifv 
the  conlidei^cr  rep.  i-nl  in  him:-  The  nu'>'^enL,'ers 
were  al-o  eh.ar-.'l  with  a  mi-ion  to  tin-  \a\voi!c  .if 
Tran-xlvania.  ami  would  now  pre><  onward  in  their 
ji.nrmw.  ninrninL;-  in  the  space  of  three  da\  s.  to  re- 
ceive his  n.pl\'. 

llaxitiur  il<'>patch«d  the  mcs>eni;-ers  tijiou  their 
further  ionriuw.  l).'i/sa  -at  down  to  consider  the 
iiKitter.  Trnlv-  it  was  a  most  tlattcrinj;^  propo-uion 
which  had  heen  made  to  him.  Ihit  then  he  had,  m-t 
lonLT  since,  in  ntter  dis'_;-nst  at  the  selfish  L^ra^pm.c: 
-pirit  m,-mifested  h\-  the  nohle<,  vowed  that  he  would 
nevt-r  airain  lead  a  force  a;<aiii>t  the  common  fi>t>. 
since  those  who  remained  at  their  case  at  home  de- 
rived the  t,n-eater  share  of  the  fruits  of  victory  and 
were  so  iintjciicrons  as  to  deny  even  a  small  -hare 
i.f  the  same  to  those  hv  whose  exertions  thev  had 
heen  rihtamed.  Triuv  this  was  to  he  a  reli-ions 
•  undertaking, — a   war   waged   for  the   honor   and   ad- 


96 


I/olcia 


I 


vaiiccmc'iit  <,{  II..I\  MmUut  C'luirch.  Hut  then  lie 
liail  not  hooii  ;il>k-  in  rid  liim^rli  of  llic  --us|)iri<jii  lli.it 
llic  Clmrcli  In  r-^rlf  ua>  l'>  suiik-  r\ti;it  in  Ka-iiL-  with 
ilu'  ni'lili-s,  in  ilicir  nnitiirin  <i[)|ircs->i(>n  nf  iIr'  peas- 
ants; an'l  tlu'  viTv  lad  tiiut  tin-;  pmir.  ildwntroddvii 
class  \va>  now  iciokcd  t<>,  t"  >ni)iil\  tlu-  niati'rial  for 
this  ij^ri'at  arni\,  \va<  in  it-ill'  sii^nilicant.  X'ot  onlv 
niu-t  tlu'  wrolidu'd.  half  -tarwd  villam-rs  wurk  nn- 
cc■asin^dy  for  tluir  uill-fi-d  ()]ti)rc^>or>.  hnt  thc\  innst 
also  )ii;!it  and  s|)ill  tlicir  bloud  for  tluir  fnrtlu-r  aj^- 
j^randizcini'iit. 

izolda  \\ati.lu-d  frarfnll\  the  -trn^s^dc  which  slu; 
saw  was,  takini,^  jilace  in  her  fathcr'>  hosoni.  and 
i>rcatlu'd  many  a  jiraycr  that  Ik-  niii,dit  hi.-  ri-Iicv(.-<l 
from  ilii-  nt-ci->sity  of  a,L,Siin  takini;  tin-  tk-ld  :  yet  so 
trnr  a  dant^ducr  of  tlu-  I'rcjiid  Ma^\ar  race  was  she 
that  each  prater  invariahly  ended  with  a  si;,di  of 
re>i,L;nation.  and  the  resolve,  that  if  his  countrv  and 
("lod  had  nted  of  him  slu-  wonM  not  he  found  mnr- 
nnirini,'.  To  her  (lucstionini;  looks  he,  however,  i^mvo 
hut  little  heed,  thouj^h  he  was  as  tender  as  ever  in 
his  caresses.  He  went  .ahout  with  an  abstracted  look 
tr\ini:  vainly  within  himself  to  come  to  some  decis- 
ion, on  this  ((Uestion.  Thus  the  l"ir--t  .and  the  second 
of  the  three  days  wi-nt  hy  without  his  liavin^;'  come 
to  any  conclusion,  and  the  maitlen  was  hf i^Hnint,^  to 
ha\e  lio])es  that  he  would  in  the  en<l  decide  to  remain 
(|nietly  at  home  witii  her;  hut  late  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  tliird  d;iv  he  walked  into  the  hall  after  havinc^ 
heeii  absent  -ince  llie  e.arly  mnrninc:,  and  in  a  state  of 
sujipressed  excitement  announced  his  purpose  thus: 


Chcrtii    ti;    I.(.:ui. 


97 


"\\\ll.   -v.tii    !/..II;i,   it    WDulil  scciii  that    l.itc   'Ic 
cides   t!i,it    I    niu-^t    l,'o   riml    Irad   this   peasant    armv 
against     tin.'    Turks,    ur    mhcr    c>|)|in<sors.      Hasten 
t!ien,  i^untle  daus^hler,  to  make  wlial   s])ih"1  m.u  niav 
to  assist  nie  in  niakin;.;- rt  adv  I'^r  ilie  louniev." 

"Must  you  ^o  my  fatlier'  What  has  iia|ii)ened 
tliat  you  l.:ive  now  come  to  ;liis  decision,  wlien  1  h;td 
lio])el  tliat  you  WvTe  nu-.Mini;  to  remain  liere  in 
j)eace  witli  me?  Ami  \siiat  mean  \(»u  hv  those 
strantje  woid  about  i.iIht  o|i|iressors  ?*  Surel\  tlie 
lurks  are  the  onI\   enemies  lair  lhmL(ar\   now  lias?" 

■"I'his  morn  i  liad  in  trutli  well  decided  to  lia\e 
iiothiiiL(  to  do  with  llii^  ■jlishoji's  v.ar,'  and  to  remain 
c|ii''tly  at  home  with  \ou.  letlint(  those  who  uoidd 
riap  the  <^ain  proxidc  the  sacrifice;  hut  this  dav  I 
liave  seen  that  uhich  makes  m\-  Mood  boil  a;^%-iin,  and 
1  can  no  lonf;er  remain  at  r(.'st." 

"What  was  it,  father?  Have  the  Turks  been  again 
maraudins,^?" 

"Xo.  dau,i;hter.  I'.ut  T  liave  sfcn  an  underlinjx  <>f 
Sza])olyai,  the  \'ayvode.  use  such  in(li,t,Miity  toward 
a  peaceful  i)easant.  that  1  could  scarce  restrain  mv- 
self  from  smitinij  liim  to  the  earth  u]ion  the  spot. 
Flecause,  thnni<:jh  stress  of  sickii^  ss.  tin-  poor  wretch 
had  not  been  able  to  produce  as  f^^reat  a  store  of  <jrain 
as  was  exiiected  of  him,  the  steward  was  wroth  and 
seized  the  sniall  share  which  should  have  remained 
for  th.e  support  of  the  man's  familv.  and  when  he  ilid 
protest,  used  most  shameful  words  and  ended  bv 
btrikimj  the  sick  man  across  the  face  with  hi-  wltip, 
at  which  cruelty  a  stranj^e  young  gallant,— a  Spaniard 


08 


I/okla. 


liv  his  looks — (li'l  laii.!L;Ii  in  lii,L;li  aiiiu^cmcnt.  wliiil-i 
scriiu'il  the  more  lK'i;.;iil'MU  il  v.Ikh  I  >"n;.;ln  t*  inl(.T- 
fcrc  ami  Iia\o  justice  done,   williout  success. 

"''To  the  \  aw.  ilf  \',  iili  liiy  couiphiint,  sirrah,' 
(|ii')tli  tlic  sU'warl.  'ai'i'i  w  !,■  will  ,-ri,'  whither  Iiis  justice 
ran  ('(luai  ni_\  inviry.'  'I'liis  knowing  well  lliat  he 
\MinM  hi.  nplul'l  in  an\-  t  ^a' )rti(jn." 

"  It  was  imlcnl  ]]]n-.[  vhanu'ful,  (^  ni\-  father,  hut 
liiiw  liad  that  \'>  <l(i  witli  tin  ilerisi,,ii  a-,  to  the  Turk- 
i--h   crusaile?"      I  )i'ixsa  vniik<l   i^riniK-. 

In  llii--  wi-e,  cInM  :  It"  the  n.  ihU-  wisli  the  i)eas- 
ants  to  take  tlie  tiiM.  let  ih.ein  take  it.  Tiiex',  at  l(•a'^t 
are  no  w()r>e  nfT  1,1  he  ■~Iain  h\  the  Turk>  than  t'l  he 
sl;ir\eil  and  uuilail  lo  death  with  their  families,  hv 
these  taskmasters  at  Iii'nie.  Then  dtiee  in  the  field, 
who  know-,  hilt  that  with  a  lari;e  armed  !'<  irce  ue 
inay  not  he  ahle  in  diinand  -oin.e  fairer  treatment 
at   tln'  hands  i>f  their  oppressors  ?  " 

i/olda  sluiddered. 

'■  .'-^ure!\  fa.ther,  \()U  wiudd  not  think  of  tnriiin;:^ 
\o;ir  arms  a,':,\aip.-t  them?  W  h;it  then  would  in-  the 
tat(    ot  ]iMor,  mihapje.    llnnL;ar\?" 

I  hope  il  will  not  i)e  nece--ar\-,  sua  et  oue.  Ihit 
in  the-e  trouhloi's  times,  one  knows  n.  t  wh;it  mav 
liappt'u.  We  shall  -ee  in  time.  Ihit  M,udi-r  come 
the  .\rcIihi>Iiop'>  enii'-'-arii  s  u,y  nn-  an<v\-tr.  It  mav 
he  that  T  shall  dep.art  with  them." 

On  the  ;irri\:d  of  the  messen;.^-ers.  O/./'^a  in\ited 
tliem  to  tarry  for  the  ni-hl.  so  ilrit  he  miv.hi  ir,.ike 
rcadv  to  ace<)miian\  them,  a-  he  Irel  dc'dded  that  lie 
would  p-o  to  o-ivc  ]]']<  an-w-er  to  ih-  Xrchliishop  in 
person;  and  as  ihcy  sat  at  >upper,  he  <iiicstioiK'd  llieni 


Chosen  to  Lcatl. 


99 


rlosely    as    to    wlui    the    forciLMi    L^allaiit    n<'i\v    at    tlic 
\  a\  \i"!('s   ca>tii.-   niii^lii   \iv. 

"!k'."  fcjilicil  tlirir  >[)  ik(  sin;'.ii,  "  i^  I  )()ii  C"ar(!.  i> 
<!(j  ( iaiil,  ulu)  ha>  l>i.-i.-ii  with  liim  t<'V  smuk-  tinn',  .  ii'l 
i>  now  ill  !ii,L;h  t'avor  wirh  ;!;■•  \a\v(.,lo.  ' Ti^  ^ail 
'!'at  hv  is  ti|iiiii  a  >]n'ci;il  nii-.-inii  from  Spain:  Inu  of 
that  I  cannot  sa\'." 

^  r-."  ^]iakc  andthiT,  "  n^ -t  niily  i-  lie  in  Ini^li  fax^r 
with  ih','  \a\\<r'K'.  1)nt  also  is  he  with  Juainia.  h.is 
(lan'.:lu*r,  and  'ti,-,  common  j^ossip  at  the  c:i>!lc,  tliat 
lie  h.as  hojx's  of  winninjjf  her  liand  in  marriage 
ThonLjii  v.hal  S/ai-ol\ai  wnn'.il  -av  to  tliat,  n.  .\v  that 
lie  aspiris  tn  allx  liis  Ikhim-  with  ih.i-  l\oval  Vwh-.  I 
n'onl<l  ni>t  \cntiii\'  l'.  sa.y.  Init  thrrr  si-cms  Htilc  donht, 
Init  th;it  lur  niarriapo  to  thi'  \o"".^'  Comes  Maiot. 
uhicli  was  somctinu'  sp:/hcn  of,  will  unt  he  accom- 
jjlishc'l,  can  tliis   Spaniard   ina'wnt   it." 

IzoMa  heard  all  this  with  a  lieav\-  heart.  Her 
father  jn'in.c;  forth  to  warfare  w  itii  nnsettlicl  pnro  '-e : 
iliat  \ile  Spaniard  a^ain  in  hvr  iniinediute  nei,L;lihor- 
hood :  and  last  tliis  ilin>t.  in  tiie  talk  of  an  inipendin;^^ 
niarriajjc  lietween  h,er  old  pla\;nate.  Michaeh  anil  the 
\  ayvodc's  dauL;hter  ( thou,:^h  she  told  herself,  and 
tried  to  Ix'Iievc  tliat  this  in  itself  concenud  In  r  little, 
while  th''  ditll  ache  at  her  heart  .qa\i'  tlie  lie  direct  to 
sucli  afllrmation  ), — all  conihined  to  dei^ress  and  --he 
was  far  from  happy.  .\s  she  said  farewell  to  her 
f;ither  upon  the  morrow  and  watclied  his  retre.itiiiL;' 
form,  sittiiiLT  his  saddle  so  u]iri.t,ditly,  andi  to'.Ncriny 
ahovf  his  companions,  she  h:il  a  foreh.  idin<;-  which 
would  n-  '  !•  •  <lispelled,  th-'  e\  il  was  in  st(,re  and  that 
she  had  hidden  him  farewell,  perhaps   forever. 


lOO 


Izolda. 


I'liArri-.R  \  III. 


UAK  iiiNc    I  UK  ri.or. 


I'ur  Sfiiiif  tinie  alter  tlic  ik-iiarturc  of  its  lord, 
matters  ])i(jfcLHK-(l  \i'ry  (|iii(tl\'  at  "  C'astk-  Dt'izsa  " — 
a>  it  was  called,  tlioiiLili  it  harilly  justitied  the  name. 
There  was  indeed  m nne  attempt  at  furlitlcation,  and 
lirc\isinn  hadi  liein  iiui'le  ti»  render  it  ca])al)Ie  of 
(lei'enci-  if  need  arose,  1,\  [Mox  itlini;'  heavy  shutters 
.'/r  the  windows,  uhile  the  thiek  walls  were  pierced 
1)\  l(.n^-  narrow  kM,j)holes.  I"roin  the  rear,  attack 
wa.s  impossihle.  ;!>  there  ihe  walls  all  !)Ut  touchetl  a 
steep  ]irecipiee  which  rose  sheer  for  fnll  two  hundred 
fc't.  i'nt  there  was  no  ind.it.  no  donjon  or  keej)  and 
r.'>  hiyh  jiaraiuls:  i>n  the  whole  the  bniklini::^  was 
mnch  after  die  fashi' in  uf  a  stra,^,L,dinur  farmhouse  of 
ni(ire  modern  da\  s.  I/olda,  to  all  outward  appoar- 
■.'v.cv  c;dnt  and  fi'-c  from  care.  fnllDwed  the  same  daily 
r.  ,utine,  which  since  her  father's  rec' 'Verv  she  liad 
marked  ■■"!  f^r  lu'-s-lf  luvA  exacted  the  s;nne  atten- 
tion to  ihcir  vnri"n-  hotisehriM  and  field  duties  from 
all  as  f. irmerh-  Hnl  despite  ,-dl  her  efforts  sh(>  could 
not  banish  from  In  r  min<l.  concern  recrardinij  tlie 
'^nrprisini^-  t<-rms  in  \e!iich  her  father  had  .announced 
h\<  ilecisicin  to  .accept  the  comm.and  of  tlu'  peasant 
crusade,  and  she  \vas  coutinualh"  conscious  of  a  dull 


Hatching  the   Plot. 


TOI 


ache  at  Iht  Iicart  and  a  furl)0(ling  of  some  iiiipendin;^' 
evil  to  liini,  tlie  meaning  of  which  she  couM  not 
fathom.  Then  the  news,  casually  drawn  by  Dozsa 
from  the  Archbishop's  emissaries,  of  the  presence  in 
that  neitjiiborhood  of  the  Spanish  i^allant.  disquieted 
her,  so  that  for  fear  of  encountcrinj^'  him  in  the 
forests  or  fields,  she  kept  for  the  most  jiart  close 
within  doors.  Apain  the  inference  to  be  drawn  from 
the  remarks  of  these  same  couriers,  that  the  I'oines 
Michael  was  a  suitor  of  the  \'ayvode*s  daui^hter — ■ 
thouijh  she  strove  not  to  own  it  even  to  herself — 
irritated  her,  the  more  so  because  she  frecpiently  dis- 
covered herself  nuisini;  ni>on  the  probabilities  of  his 
being  received  with  favor  by  the  imperious  maiden, 
the  fatne  of  whoso  beatuy  was  sjiread  throu'^hout  the 
district  :  and  though  she  wou'd  resolutely  banish  such 
thoughts  from  her.  and  endeavor  to  turn  her  atten- 
tion to  other  affairs,  \ei  invariably  would  they  return 
sooner  or  later. 

In  time  a  message  came  from  Dcizsa,  informing  her 
thit  as  preparations  were  already  far  advanced  for  the 
expedition  and  his  presence  therefore  imperative  in 
the  cam])  at  Ruda,  he  would  not  be  able  to  retiirn  to 
bid  her  farewell  or  to  esort  her  l)ack  to  Marot.  before 
taking  the  field,  as  had  been  his  intention.  He,  how- 
ever, ilirected  that  she  remain  where  she  was,  since 
in  the  somewhat  troubled  state  of  the  country,  -be 
v.as  probablv  safer  there  than  ;M  In  r  imcle'.^,  par- 
ticularly now  that  he  and  her  coiivj,)  ("..ibriel  had  both 
joined  the  crusade.  Tie  abo  Imle  her  convey  his 
:ominands  to  Snuon  C'son.  to  I'-'ok  well  to  the  safety 


lo: 


I/(jlJa. 


Ill  his  mistri'ss,  ami  take  such  steps  as  socmcl 
rxpeihciit  to  L,iiaril  a,iL;;;iii--t  llic  ilepreilatioiis  ' -t  any 
chance  inaraiulers.  The  ^iii  v.a^  (jiiite  ainaze'l  at 
the  air  ni  iiniinrtaiic  wiih  wliich  Simon  receive'!  ihi^ 
hi>t  c-iuiinaii'l.  a:i'l  ilie  a.ri'.or  with  wliicli  he  set  ahotit 
iDokini:  til  tlie  ilti\nces,  an'!  in  |pre]iar!iiL,'  fur  n,c  the 
miscellaneous  collection  of  arms  a:i<I  armor,  wliicli 
htmi;  npon  ilie  wall-  ot"  tJK-  in;;in  Iiail.  So  ililiL,u'nt 
\sas  lie  that  for  si'veral  i!a\s  lie  hal  titne  for  1ini  little 
else,  and  she  at  leiiL^th  fell  con-trainc'l  to  remon- 
strate with  him   for  heiiiur  ^"  o\\r  zealous. 

"Wli_\.  Simon.  (  )ne  wouM  think  to  watch  thy 
manifold  preparations,  that  I  were  some  cai)tive 
jiriiicess,  and  that  douLdity  k-ni-hts  were  exiiected  to 
make  fierce  a-'-aulis  upMii  xour  d.efenc-s  in  td'f'irt 
to  effect   my   release." 

"ICven  so,"  returne.l  h.e  wiih  an  awkward  attem])t 
at  ^allantrv,  "And  man;,-  an  armored  kni-ht  had 
seen  your  sweet  face  and  knew  of  y.,ur  hein--  here, 
I  douhl  not  that  we  should  he  called  ujio;)  to  fiL;ht 
in  \onr  ileieiice;''  then  added  with  a  hint  at  d.arker 
me.-inimr,  "Wlio  ktiows^  We  may  have  u.^e  en.ou^di 
f' '1"  oiu'  pikes  liefore  the  summer  he  over." 

Xot  content  with  gottiui;  the  weapons  in  order, 
Simon  proceeded  to  or.i,^anize  a  sort  of  p:;uard  from 
tlie  few  retainers  about  the  place,  and  much  to  the 
amusement  of  his  master's  daughter,  strove  to  teach 
them  some  military  movements  and  evolutions,  of 
evidently  his  own  conception.  However,  as  she 
watched  his  proceedings  from  day  to  day,  amuse- 
ment  ga\-c  place  to   uneasiness,  and  ::t  length   slie 


ll 


H;irchiiig  the    Plot. 


lO 


;> 


liecame  thur^nL^lilx  alaniu'il,  a-  .-he  -aw  lliat  his  htile 
cuiiiMaiu  L;ra'hiall\  inrrca-cl  until  lie  ha<l  nian_\ 
peasants  Irnm  the  -urroUiuUii;;'  (H-iiicl  eiirnlle'l  ami 
some  half  a  lmn<!riil  or  niMro  WduM  at  one  time 
s;ather  at  hi-  call.  In  fact  -he  lieL;an  to  fear  that 
ihev  were  hent  u\)<>n  \<V'iccci.\ini^  in  take  part  in  the 
crusaile,  a"il  that  -hhh'  day  she  w  luld  find  herself 
fiirsakt  n  and  alone  in  t' e  i^r  at  Imuse,  save  fur  the 
conii)ani<)n-hi|i  of  the  ileerepil  uld  L;yi)sy  woman. 

"Win-  do  \ou  dio  thi-i.  Simon?  What  does  it  all 
mean:"  -h.'  a-ked  ap:ain  and  a,i;ain  ;  but  little  satis- 
faction was  to  l)c  gotten  from  his  answer. 

"It  is  b'  -t  til  be  |)rc]iared.  We  know  imt  but  that 
snme  I  if  those  knii^hts  vou  sj)' ike  (^f,  may  ere  lonsj;  1»e 
knockinij;-  at  our  yates  aiivl  striviiii^  to  force  an  en- 
trance :  or,  what  is  still  more  important,  we  may  wish 
to  f(irce  an  eiUrance  into  ^Mme  ca-tle  to  free  a 
])rince-s  onrsi'l\'i.'S. 

M\stified  and  tnieasy  at  his  peculiar  answers,  but 
]i(iwerless  to  put  a  sto|)  to  his  doin£:;s,  the  lonely 
maid,  now  thorouf^hlv  cunvinced  that  some  mischief 
was  brcwini;-,  set  her-elf  to  watch  closely  the  actions 
of  this  man  and  his  companions  with  a  view  of  dis- 


i\erin'_',  his  ultima       intention? 


he  had  not   Ion; 


to  wait.  One  dav,  a  month  or  mure  after  th.e  de- 
parture (if  her  father,  she  became  cnnscious  of  an 
unusual  excitetneut  amon.ij  Simun's  band,  and  as  the 
dav  wiire  >  m  the  peasants  from  the  neii^hboriui;- 
estate-  be'..;an  \'<  con^resi-ite  in  the  vicinity  "f  the 
imnsi',  until  theri'  were  more  than  double  the  number 
that   had  ever  been  there  before  at   one  time,  while 


I04 


l/.olda 


their  >rIt-a|)i)(>inU'<l  caii'iaiM  Imsiol  llim-^clf  rn^liiiiL; 
I'lMiii  (.M-oiij)  to  -r'-up.  aJi'I  tall^in.i;-  tor  a  in')nu'nl  nr 
twii  witli  I'acli  new  arri',  al  a^  lu-  (.'aiiK'  up.  l.alc  in 
thf  attcriHioii,  Sini'in.  !''l!ci\vc>l  ]>y  mmik'  liall  ilnzt,;! 
•  'iIuTs,  Id  tliL-  \\a\"  wi'lmut  ci.Tci);' )ii\  into  tlu'  main 
liall,  ami  pr' )Ci.i.'iiC'l  to  Iiol  I  a  couiu'ii  > if  war.  I/.old  i, 
I.u>yi!ii;-  lu-rM-lf  :;i  lu  r  nwn  >ittinL;-ri  huh,  jii.si  off  tlio 
Iiall,  with  tliv  iliHir  ajar,  was  U'>x  lowj;  in  tiiulorstaiifl- 
in;^-  the  ftill  piir]).irt  i>i  tlu'  prMJvct  in  hand,  which  was 
no  K•-■^  than  to  m;irch  that  iii-ht  a.'^aiiir-t  t!u'  castle  of 
the  \  ayvo'le.  which  they  hoped  to  take  hv  surprise 
a.ii'l  pnttiii',;-  all  the  inmates  to  the  sword,  to  fire  and 
reduce  to  rnin^  the  entire  structure.  'I'lie  X'avvode, 
they  had  learned  \v;is  .'iway  from  home,  and,  un- 
Mispicion-,  (,f  (l,in,L;er,  hut  a  weak  L^arrison  was  in 
charge,  while — what  effect u;ill\'  i^Miaranteed  the  suc- 
cess of  their  enterpri-e. — one  of  the  conspirators  was 
emp1o\ed  within  the  castle  and  was  pled.i^eil.  upon 
lieariuLT  •'i  L;i\en  ^i-iial,  to  rai-e  the  portcuUis  and 
lower  the  draw -hrid-e  for  their  entrance:  this  once 
t'tYected,  the  task  of  suhduin^;  the  ;nii~irepared  defend- 
ers would  he  easil\'  accomplished. 

.\s  she  listened  to  the  unfoldim.;-  of  tlii-,  diaholical 
pi'it.  l;^olda  seemed  frozen  with  horror.  She  ,i;a>i)ed 
for  hrcaih,  while  old  like  unto  death  crept  over  her 
hmhs  and  ho.ly.  For  several  minutes  she  sat  as  one 
paralszed,  tlien,  as  the  power  of  movement  returned, 
her  first  almo-i  unc  'niiuerahle  impulse  was  to  ni-di 
fortii  and  scream:  iml  hy  a  supreme  effort  of  will 
.•-he  resi.-ted  it  and  conlrollid  herself  >ufiicientlv  to 
think    the    matter   cat.     burelv   there   wa>    here   the 


HalLliiiiL;  the  riot. 


10  = 


rt'-ult  of  tlif  pl'ittini;  oi'  .-.imc  crazril  liraiii  ;  dMulitlcss. 
iliat  (if  SiiiiDii,  wliiKo  actiiiiis  lat(.!\-  lia'I  ccrtainlx- 
]n\-u  far  from  rra.-niialilr.  I'nt  nf  this  s!k'  cuiM 
not  !)(.•  ccTtaiii.  as  t-vcr  ami  aiioii  a  straii.q-c,  yet 
taiiiiliar.  voice  rose  lii^licr  ilian  llu'  rest,  and  seemed 
to  advocate  still  .greater  len^tlis  of  wanton  injurv  and 
destruction  than  the  others  were  |)rei>ared  for. 
However,  it  mattered  httle  who  was  ilie  maniac,  what 
was  slie  to  do  was  tlie  (|nes'ion.  I)oid)tIess.  if  she 
v.cnt  in  amoni^'  them  and  calrnK-  forhade  the  prosecu- 
tion of  tile  enterprise,  the  reason  of  tlie  majoritv 
wouhJ  return  to  them  and  tlie  dan;,'er  would  he 
averted.  Oh,  how  she  feU  her  weakness  and  lon^-ed 
for  jier  faiiierV  stront,'-  arm  to  lean  upon,  or — and  she 
hiushed  at  the  tliou,L;ht  — if  Miehaid  l)olioz\  \v-ere  only 
here  with  that  stronj.;-  arm  which  had  init  the  Sjianiari! 
ti  sMch  confusion,  wliat  a  nlief  it  would  he,  P.ut 
she  was  alone;  and  hrave,  'rue  maid  that  she  was, 
hesitated  no  lon<^er.  hut  strode  into  the  midst  of  the 
consi)irators  with  tirin  trea.d.  determined  to  (lo  her 
utmost  to  turn  them   from   their   fell  ])urpose. 

■'  What  means  all  this,  Simon  C"'so]);>  Must  needs 
turn  th\  master's  hall  into  an  armory  while  he  is 
away?"  Ami  what  is  ;ill  this  talk  of  treason  and  mur- 
der I  hear?^  Tru!\.  you  be  all  beside  yourselves. 
\\  hat  means  it.  sirrah  '  " 

Xo.  We  he  not  lv>idc  ourselves,  I^^.ilda  O'lzsa," 
answered  ilie  \'oice  she  had  marked  before,  and  sur- 
prised, she  turned  to  see  the  villas-c  swineherd  of 
^.farcTt,  w  hotTi  ^ilir.  rcnv.MTibered  a^  •"^iviu"'  such  .1 
heated  harangue  to  the  villagers,  that  night  when  site 


io6 


I/n!d:i. 


^ 


liail  (laticcil  tlic  csanlas  with  l^nii  Cardiui'*  "hut  \vc 
art-  at  kii,t;th  to  make  a  hold  slrokr  for  t'ru'd'i'ii,  Kd 
on  to  \-ic'ory  Iiy  that  pccrk'ss  soKhor,  >  irori^c  Do/,  a, 
thy  falliL-r," 

'l"hc  maiden  ^tartrd  in  varna-  terror. 

"  Mv  t'atluT.  .\m!  11c  would  not  fur  one  moment 
c<)n-^int    to   snch   dastardly   condnct." 

"  \\d.  T'.ut  it  is  even  so,"  returned  Stei>lien.  '■  lie 
lia>  at  la>t  ikcided,  and  is  ewn  nuw  |  tiu-t,  leadini,' 
that  \a-t  arnn-  of  jn-asants  iwhiidi  the  f<j"h>h  n.  .Me>. 
in  their  siniplicitN  lulieved  wmuM  he  led  aL;"ain>t  the 
Tui'ks).  riL^Minst  iluir  upiire^-.or^ — to  hum  and  to 
destroy,  to  eha^ti^e  and  t"  kill,  until  the  tknds  who 
ha\e  liir  so  liiULr  ^piire^sed  n^.  \\  ill  aeeeile  to  our  just 
dein.and-  and  jiruclaini  that  in  llunL;ar\-  ,all  men  are 
lir(jlher>.  are  of  ei|ual  u;raik'  and  shall  leave  us  in 
peaceahle  jiosses-iou  of  the  spuds  we  shall  have 
a!read\  taken.  (  )i  ;i  truth  ;i  i^kainus  da}'  is  ak'iiut  to 
dawn  fur  thi .  ium;,!  ^kjriMus  Mai^'\ar  race,  and  the 
name  of  thy  f.alher  shall  i^o  down  to  fiuiire  ""enera- 
tioi.s,  as  the  lilurator  of  his  counlrw  the  hri,.i-.er  of 
the  ihralikiui.  whieh  h.a>  I'nr  so  knier  rendered  dead  the 
limhs  uf  the  yoim,^::  t^iants  ot  this  land.  Dau,q:hter 
of  our  UM^t  nohle  leader,  I  salute  thee,"  and  llniLjini: 
liimsetf  \\]h,n  his  knets  at  lu  r  feet,  the  (ierv  orator 
strive  to  ki-^  her  hand.      lUr,   she  drew  hack. 

"  .\'o.  Xol  \  n\\  mistake  mv  father.  While  lie 
may  he  willing  [u  ilu  his  utmost  to  persuade  and  even 
to  use  force  to  secure  better  treatment  for  the 
Jieasantry,  yet  wnuid  lie  not  sanction  the  raiding;  of 
cajtks   and   the   bhcddinci'  of  innoceiii:  bloud.     Touch 


llat.-liiii-   the    I'lot. 


lo: 


!Mt    my   liaml,   wliik'  thine  is   so  rraily   to  ciic^rn^'   in 
such   law  K•^s  ]nir])-)scs." 

"  Xay.  nay!  "I'is  tlirni  that  nii>takt.';li  iliy  father. 
I  Ii',  iiuicod,  is  too  wise  a  general  Id  liiiiuIic  too  cl'>scl\' 
into  thi'  nuans  wliicli  arc  cni]iloyc(l  to  ^ain  victor > 
\'>r  his  cause:  ami  wliile  li'-  w^mM  iierliaj)^  \vi-li  li.;n'.i 
to  imne  <>t  the  \'a\-\'oi!c'>  hor.sclioM.  \  et  am  I  certain 
that  when  he  K'ariis  iliai  snch  a  iR>t  (^\  the  o])pressors 
h.ath  hern  (lr--tro\a'i|.  he  will  he  far  from  <lisplcasc(l 
witii  tl'.o-c,  who  have  veiiinred  such  a  IioM  deed  in  the 
ti,L;lit    for   hheitx." 

I  he  |>oor  L;irl  was  silenced  and  st.rid  inr  si,-\eral 
miimtes,  shnddeiini;-  and  i^'a/ini;-  hel]>le~-l\  aliout  hir, 
tlieii  turned  .ml  retired  once  more  to  her  own  aj^art- 
ment,  dazed  a^  oi!e  who  waketh  >ndd.  iil\  walkin.t,' 
in  liis  sleep,  and  sat  down  to  wre~t!e  witli  the  thoui^hts 
which  canu'  lhro!!'_;i;',j^-  into  h.;r  hrain.  .\o.  She 
Could  iv 't  he!ie\e  that  lu  r  father,  so  hraxc  and  true, 
wdiild  have  au,i;ht  hut  the  t^'rce^t  deniniciations  for 
so  vile  a  critnc  a^  ihi^  mi;ht  aitaek  u]Hin  the  wh  ■llv 
unsuspectint];  and  unprej')aretl  inm.ites  of  the  ca^lle. 
<  'h,  that  he  were  here  to  prevent  it.  Ihu  ihi.n  — 
horril)!e  thouL;ht  —  Stephen  ihe  swin.ilu  rd  had  de- 
clared that  her  father  was  now  in  op^n  nh'.dlion  and 
was  proparinL;  to  k\iil  the  arruy  of  the  cru.sade  ac^ainst 
the  cstaliHshetl  au[hoiii\  of  tlu'  kiuLidom.  ('oull  this 
be  trite?  .\  month  before  she  woidd  ha\e  been 
ready  to  pledge  her  soul  that  such  a  statement  was 
utterly  false;  but  now — those  significant  words,  which 
h.e  had  spnlccn  just  before  his  departure,  ran.s^  aL;aiu 
ill  her  ears  like  a  \  critable  knell.    Her  lalhcr,  a  traitor 


loS 


I/..l,l,l. 


i 


til  lii>  kin.:,;'      Tlurc'  \\a>  ina'liirs>  in  tlu-  llion^ht.      In 
time  -hv  -rcw   cahiur.  a;,il  -Nin  in  tliMni;!,^  ^a^  ■-(.■ck- 
ini;  to  palliaio  tlic  (i['t\-nM'  n\   hini.   uliMni   from  cliiM- 
li'iMiI    (lavs    >lu'    Iiail    Ikiii    wmmi    to   look    upon    a--    an 
orach', — as  onr  who  wnulil  a!ua\s  ilo  tlu-  riL,'-Iu.     Ar.  1 
why    wa^   Iir   not    ri-ht    in    lliis"-      Thr   (|Ut.'stion    ran^-- 
out   sharp  and  cii'ar,   alni"-l   it   wtTc  as   tIiou,i,di   ><:n'.i- 
oiu-  liai]  s|H,l<fn  it  in  hvr  car.      It   surclv  was  possiM,' 
that    Iir   nii-ht    hr.      She,    wIim   had    lived    the   life   ot    a 
siiiii)k-  villas;-!'  inai  1   for  >o  lnn<;^  knew   full  well   what 
burdens  and   wronq.,  ilie  peasants   had   to  l)ear,   what 
])rivations    they    wtTe    calleil    upon    to    endure    ;it    the 
mere   caprice  of   their  masters,   the   iiohlrs.    and    wliar 
indi,L,niities — \  ea    in>ult> — were  at    tiiue.>   Iieaped    wan- 
tonly upon  their  wives  and  dau.iL^iiters.     (  I  lad  she  iMt 
Inn    recentl\    experienced    soni.'thinLj:  of   thi--    herself?) 
it   con.ld    n.it   he  that    ( icd   desi-ned   that    they   should 
contiinie    in    this    despised    condition    fore\er.      Surely 
His  aven,t,Mn^'  arm   would   he  stretched  <iut   s.„,ner  or 
later,  and  i>erhaiw— who  knew  ?— her  father  mi-ht  lie 
Hi-    chosrn    iustnuuent    to    a\en,i;e    tlu'    weak    imon 
their   oppressors.      Cut    this    assault    on    the    castle.— 
could    that    he    ri-ht-      \\\-ll,    as    the    swineherd    had 
maintained     i;    would  l)e  aidiiiLj  the  cause   of   liberty. 
Doubtless    tht     \'ayvode"s    retainers    woidd    be    taken 
completely     b\      -urprise    and     perhaps    the     jieasants 
nii.^ht    have   a    bloodless    \ictory.      Tt    eertainh    would 
be  a  considcrai)le  triumph,  to  subdue  the  fortress  of 
.such    ati    important    personage    as    the    ruler    of    all 
Transylvania.      Her   resolve   was   taken.      She    would 
return  to  the  liall,  express  approval  of  the  brave  ad- 


Hatching  the   Plot. 


109 


venture  tlu-  ]><as:uits  lia.l  <1<  Utiiiiik>1  uiic.n,  hut  uf^'e 

tlK-iii  tu  a\i>nl  1.1 1-luil  a>-  far  as  pM^Mhlc,  ami  !<• 

treat  all  captives  u  illi  01  .n-idrrai  iun.  As  she  cam-' 
t..  tliis  (KtiTmmali'iii,  lio\ve\er,  -he  also  heeaiiie  cmi- 
scii.us  of  what  ha-l  l«.forr  cscaiie.l  her,— that  the  loud 
talkiu<^  had  ceased,  had.  in<leed,  for  some  time— and 
u''on  tryint,'  the  door  ol  her  room,  she  found  that  it 
had  heen  se(-'ir(dv  fastened  from  without.  The  con- 
spirators liad  evidently  fi^arcil  she  iniL^ht  endeavor 
t..  convey  a  warnini;  to  their  victims. 

With  the  discovrrey  that  -he  \\.l^  a  pri-oiur,  there 
also  came  to  l/.;lda.  a  rvali/ati..n  that  tin-  hopes  shf 
had  <-ntert;iined  of  pre\entiiiij  violence,  v,  l  re  hut  cam. 
(  )iici.-  tlieir  jias-iou-  rou-.t-tl,  it  was  difticult  to  lorsie 
what    excesses   the   hotdie.aded   r;il>l>le   inii^ht   not    he 
h(tra\ed  into.      In  a  frenzy,  she  threw  lursrlf  a-;iinst 
the  door  and  strove  to  hurst  it  open:  hut  it  was  a-  a 
wall  unmoved  heneath  her  weak  efforts.      A^Niin  and 
a.i^ain  she  returned  to  the  as-ault  upon  the  unyield- 
inij  harrier  with  like  result,  and  at   leii.LXth  sank   ex- 
hausted   upon    the    floor,    in    pu    ai^n.ny    of    tears. 
^■uddenlv  a  new  t      ni^ht  flashed  across  her  hrain  and 
-he  i^rew  calm  attain.     \\h\   shemld  she  i;rieve  thus? 
Slui)id  creature!      Were  not  these  peasants,  in  carry- 
in-  out  their  w  ickcd  plot,  servin.i,'  her  also  ?     Was  not 
Don  Cardeiiio,  the  <i>anish  l)rnte,  who  had  soui^ht  to 
st>  cruelly   misuse   her,  ni>w    an   inmate   of  the   \  ay- 
vode"s   household'     .\nd   if   he    fell   a    victim   to   tl'.e 
ra.hhle's  fury,  w 'uld  -he  not  he  most  justly  avenired? 
--And  still  another  thou-ht.     Had  not  the  couriers  on 
their  return  from  thence  let  fall  the  informatii/U,  that 


I  10 


Izolda. 


tliL'  \'a_vvii(lc's  (l.m,L;litrr  \s;is  the  pii^siMo  \)\■\,\^■  of 
C'funes  Micliacl  nf  Mar'.i?  ir.\v  it  lui'l  Aw\i;  Irt 
to  tlic  f|uick  at  tlu'  time.  I'or  strive  to  dispfuisi'  it  a> 
she  iiii.L'lit.  she  cniiM  no  loiij^i-r  blind  hcr>rlf  t'>  the 
fact  that  Michai'I  DmIkizv  was  tlic  idnl  of  li,  r  hiart, 
and  thai  she  Icived  him  passionatelv — the  in'He 
])assinnately  since  slic  kiifw  that  ]]<■  c  uM  lUAcr  he 
hers,  that  tlieri'  was  no  aiisweriii;.,'  passi(iii  fur  hrr  in 
his  ht.irt;  latlier  indeed  lie  despised  her  as  the  pla. - 
tliiiii^  of  the  i^'dv  L;allaiit,  Irnm  win !■-(.■  uiP.wleMnie 
altentimis  he  had  i<'V  the  tiiiir  dthviicd  iier.  I'.ut  he 
would  n.it  lie  jiermitted  [•>  !a\i-li  that  \"\v.  whieh 
she  So  Coveted,  upon  this  cilui'.  Loiij,'  ere  he  came 
hither  a^ain,  the  mie  he  came  tn  see  woidd  he  cild 
in  ilradi.  and  lira-  wiinM  >l,c  he  victorious  over  lur 
rival,  and  il;at  witliDiU  llie  ni(i\-entcnt  nf  a  lniL;er  on 
lur  jiart.  She  fc!t  L;nihy  at  the  tliMii,;];!  lill  in  time 
her  hetter  nature  a^^ain  assertvd  itsi_li'.  and  sliv  was 
dwcllini:;  in  hiirr<'r  upon  tin-  lrai;ed\-  alioiit  to  eii^iie. 
\\'liy  sliMuld  she  drsire  the  death  <<i  this  identic 
maiden,  wlio  had  never  dono  her  harm  and  why 
should  she  di'liL;ht  to  think  that  i)ain  wmild  be  intlicted 
upon  him  wIimhi  slie  loved  so  (K-arlv,  though  in 
secret?  TU-tter  far  ware  it  ii'  she. — jioor.  nuteast,  un- 
loved, t'orsaken  it  seennd  even  h\  hi  r  dw  ri  fatlicr. — 
could  llie  in  the  ])lacc  (jf  this  inii'iciiu  oiu-.  .and  could 
reston'  her  nnliarmed  into  the  arms  of  her  lover. 
Would  it  nnt  hr  hlissful  tints  ti'  dii',  with  ilie  enu- 
sciousness  of  h.avin.c;  ciaifcrnd  hajipitiess  u])oii  him?' 
W'oukl  that  she  were  ah'e  ti>  d"  siich  a  (k'e'l  f' ^r  h'T 
love's  sake  I     She  started   up.     At  least   it  was  yet 


IlatLliiii'-;  tlic   Plot. 


II I 


possib.i.  for  lu-T  to  avert  the  spillini,'  of  tlii-  inivicciit 
lilood  hv  t;i\i'ii,'  tinuls  uarnin;;-.  I'vil  ala> !  Slu'  is 
a^ain  cni-lu'.l  li\  tlir  cnu  1  nciIl^Ttion  tliat  .sho  i>  a 
i>ri>oiuT  ami  iuliilfss.  With  a  clr-pairin-,'  crv  -lu' 
^iiiks  onct'  iiiori.'  to  tin*  floor  aiiil  lor  long  lie.-,  in  a 
(lull  kaikn  stuj)oi. 


112 


l/.okU 


ril APTT-.R  IX. 


WAKuixi;  (orxsELORS.  . 


Tn  tlio  roval  ca^-tlr  at  I'mla  vdine  hall  do/^en  men 
lia\i-  nut  inr  ci)un>Ll.  As  we  j^Ianee  ahmit  the  circle 
aii>l  mark  the  faci's,  we  sti'  that  lieie  art'  t^atlieretl 
those,  in  wliosf  liands  r^-ts  iarnr'y  tlie  fate  of  \>o(<v 
(l:-tracli'il  lluni^arv,  aiiil  thmiL;])  w  /  he  I^ul  iiidilTeriiU 
icaiKrs  of  the  luinian  d  miitt  nance,  yet  even  a  t\io 
can  liere  (hr-cern  .^nfticitnt  tn  do  anythini;  l)nt  alhi\' 
lii>  fiai  -  a  to  the  fntnre  of  tliat  land;  ^o  nuich  of  m-!i- 
seekini:;  and  snsi)icions  distrn>t  of  his  fiUow  heiiiL,' 
])lainlv  portrayed  in  each,  accentnated  at  the  i)resent 
moment  hv  the  stro-niLj  nndercnrrent  of  anxiety  pre- 
doniinatins;-  all.  and  which,  it  is  soon  evident,  has 
]iromi)ted  the  i>reyein  meetinsr, 

.Siei)hen  Telei^edw  the  Treasnrer,  is  now  adtlress- 
in;;  his  Confrere^,  and  lu'  doi's  so  in  strong'  terms, 
speaking;'  raj>idl\  and  distinctly  with  mnch  slmw  of 
]irnt  np  p.assioti,  a^  one  so  fnlh  ])c-rvuad(Hl  of  the 
justice  f»f  !iis  position,  that  he  needs  not  to  weiL;h  hi^ 
words  before  sjieakintj.  His  n,ni,'!rks  are  addi'e^scd 
directK'  to  the  one  who  sits  (.ppo-^ite  ti^  him — a  tall 
comniandiiiLr  fii^nre  in  cit  rical  ;iltire  of  faidtUss 
elcjjance.  thi-  insiLjitia  of  which  j"ir<ick-iims  him  as  the 
.Archhishoi).    none    (,|her    than    'i'homas    Bakacs    the 


W'arrina  Counselors. 


"3 


'nstii.i;ator  of  tlic  peasants"  rnisaflc.  The  mask  oi 
iiK'ckiK'Ss  and  huinilit;.,  wiiicli  lu-  lia')itiiall_\  assumes 
in  inihlie.  has  for  tlie  nniiee  l)een  (h"o|i])eil.  a^  he  is 
]ii'ieke<l  tn  llie  quick  hy  tlie  cutting;-  wurds  cif  the 
'i'lTaMiriT,  and  lie  sits  rexealed  as  the  true  man. — a 
cuiuiiuL;',  iilnttiuijf,  self-seek inj,'.  stuhhorn  ami  amhi- 
tidus  jiielate.  lie  lias  ])layed  hii;ii  stakes  in  this 
\enture.  for  sDmethiuL;'.- — what,  none  hut  himself 
kudws — and  he  is  ucit  ready  tn  a.ilmit  that  li"  has  lust  ; 
Iiut  far  from  it.  he  hopes  in  the  i)rescnt  panicky  stale 
of  the  kiu;,^  and  uohles.  lo  .L;ain  rich  i,Mfts  ;ind  con- 
cessions for  the  churcli  ami  himself. — i^j^'Cially  the 
latter.  Accordin,i;'ly  he  listens  to  thi'  sentences  of  the 
Treasurer  with  ^rowinij  anjj^er. 

"  ^'ou,  .Most  Worthy  Archhisho]),  are  the  cause  of 
the  ])resent  daui^HT,  which  nn'uaces  the  kin.L;dom. 
\t)U,  to  serve  \-our  own  ends.  ha\e  called  to.i^ctluT 
this  ,L;real  rahhle  which  now  camjjs  without  tlu'  ;,^att's. 
snarlint,'  and  i|uarre!in<.r  like  a  jj.ack  of  h;df  st.arved 
wolves,  who  wait  hut  the  word  to  s]>rini,f  at  our 
throats  and  tear  us  to  j)ieces.  I'ily  was  it  indeed. 
that  Thomas  Uakacs  had  not  succieiled  in  ^ettin;,' 
himself  elected  ro])e.  rather  than  that  he  should  vent 
his  disat)j)ointment  l)y  deliveriui;  us  over  to  the 
tender  mercii's  of  those,  who  from  nursini,^  th" 
lancied  w  routes  of  centuries,  have  hec>ime  our  tr.idi- 
tioiial  t-nt'inies.  I  need  not  remind  \-on  all.  "  he  con- 
tinued. turniuL:  from  one  to  the  other,  "how  I  fought 
this  mad  scheme  in  the  Diet,  and  hoMh  stated  m\- 
conviction  that  the  i;Ior\-  of  ( iod  was  not  nnend<'d, 
neither    the    destruction    of    ll;e    intidels    <lesireil.    but 


1  :4 


Izokla. 


ratlior  tlio  rKlvananifm  nf  this  schcmrr.  who  tailmc: 
ni  (i!K'  iliin.u  lias  ni)\v  -rt  kVA  in  tlic  qiK->l  nf  a  car.li- 
nalV  liat  (ir  smiu'  -iioli  hnulik-,  in  wliicli  inir>nit  wc, 
nnwiliin^'Iy  cMiiai,L;h.  aiv  lieoinu'  h\>  iiupiR't--.  It  is 
l.ul  in-lirc  that  he  whn  ha->  \v>\  u>  to  ihr  hrink  m"  this 
l^rcniucv,  vhMul.l  i-.w  d.)  hi^  nnnnM  to  i)rc'vrnt  .air 
tunihhiii;  >'\vv.  lie  -hnuld  hf  maiU'  V>  at  oikh-  (hs- 
patch  thi>  inuh  mi"  cufs  nnnn  it>  crraiHl  leadin-  ihrni 
hinisvlf  if  iuc<N  nui--!.  ami  Miia.U  hlaiiif  in  th^m  it 
tlu'v     shnuM    1).'    niMvc'l     to    (IcVMur    him    np' -n    the 

JMUIIU'V." 

.\])MJutc  siU'i- ■  toUdwr.l  tliis  t'l.Tv  s|)(,Trh  ot  i\U'- 
,i;\-(lv.  for  llu'  si>acc'  "i  several  minute-,  ihiriii-  which 
all  e\e>  were  tnrne'l  \\\>< 'U  'lie  .\rchhi>lii  .]>.  with  a 
enrii'us.  liall  learftil  exi>res~i,  .n  :  save  in  tlie  ca-e  of 
the  other  chijc  pre-eiit,  ( th.' Hisho])  <  f  (^ana<l  i,  who 
coiiM  iT't  (lis-uiM'  the  satisfaction  which  I'-is  atttick 
niHin  his  sui)erior  had  -i\en  him;  \'>r  he.  t.)o,  liad  his 
aml)ilion>~.  which  had  m.  .re  than  once  hecii  interfered 
with  ]>\-  hi--  m^re  siicee-,fnl  rival.  I'a.kacs  at  leii-th 
ro'-c  li'  rejdv,  -.wA  fixini;  his  c\  es  with  a  vindictive 
Ltlare  111"'!!  tlif  d  rea-iirer.  comnu'iiced  : 

■'  Mi'st    jllu'-trii  )'is   l.ord.>  : — " 

r,nt  he  ^pnke  no  further.  At  that  meimeiit  t!ie 
door  was  thrown  open  wide  and,  "  1  lis  Ahijesty,  the 
Kitiijf  "  was  aiiiiop.nceil, 

riadislaiis,  the  n..min;il  ruler  of  I  hin.i^arv,  who  n<nv 
enters  tlx-  r.  >oni,  is  not  at  all  a  o>mmandini;-  6;;nrc. 
Xot  that  he  is  dwarfed  in  stature  or  det'icicnt  in  in- 
tellect, hnt  the  weakne--  and  indecision  of  his  ch.ir- 
aclcr  is  openly   marked   upon   liis  counimance,   wdhle 


W'arriir-;  Counselors. 


II 


tlic  CMiitinur.l  iIM;i;:iItli  which  has  loii--  arilicti'l  liini. 
imparts  a  hstk'ssiicss  t"  ;'.ll  liis  actiniis.  wliirh  t^ncs 
far  titwarii  rncMura^^ini^'  llic  cirnintcr}  whirh  at  tinus 
(.■luirartcri.as  llic  j  r(.ccc!linj;-s  of  ixTlaiii  Dt  his 
niiiii-'trrs. 

■'^^lU  cl('>irc(!  (  y.v  aitiiitiiii  Sir  I'ahitinc."  (lie 
ai!ih\->>-"'  Sii'plun  I'.aihnrx.  \\\r  prr-ml  ii(.-ciii)aiu  i>l 
tlia'i  hi;_;li  Mliirri,  "  tluil  wi-  ni''.;ht  aiKi-c  in  :hi'  ih-- 
]H>-:il  111'  s(inif  matter^  iii"  \wiL;h,i\  iiiipMiiaiUT  tii  I'Ur 
rrahii.  Lr!  il  m  ^t  we  hr-trrh  \"n.  (x-cnpv  i^vcr  nuich 
i<\  iiur  tinir.  fnr  wi'  arc  hut  this  nvmunt  c  .iiu'  I'n.i.i 
ihi'  hnliliiiL;  I'f  a  ni"st  iinimrlant  c  iiit\'riiu\'  with  mir 
hi'lnvc'<i  'jurcn.  rrt^anliri;  thi,'  Stat;'  Iiail  sn  slu'r'!;. 
l:<  ])c  hi-'M.  aii'l  wf  wiiuM  rriiirn  ihiih.rr  wc  inaiiv 
minulf^.  I\ll  us  in.w,  ')  It-arm-^l  ('hit!  jiisiicc."— -lie 
continues  luniin;^  sui'uh'ul)-  t.s  .Dn.-th'jr  cf  tin-  i;r<>u[), 
— "'tis  suri'lv  Udt  aL^ain  ni'  thi^  wntchnl  peasant 
alTair,  that  vim  iK'-in-  us  {>>  truuhh-  nur  ah\ail\  tuo 
uiv.rh    wrarii'il  lirain." 

ihu^  appealrd  to.  Stcpluii  W'rhoczy,  the  alterwaril 
fani'ius   jurist,  makes  ;ins\\er. 

•■  N'.iur  Mi'st  (iracidu.s  Majestv,  it  i^  iuiked  ilei)l'.ra- 
h'e  tint  we  -hMul'I  he  enmiielled  tn  ih-traet  \(iur  atten- 
tion, fur  even  so  sh.  irt  a  time,  fmm  sueh  imjjurtaiu 
eniisiil,  ratinns  li>  a  matter  of  merel\  passin;,;'  iiUerest, 
(Tills  vas  s;iiil  with  ill  ciueealel  sarcasm,  which  w,i- 
'•.i\\t,cr,  entireh  li.st  uiinn  the  poor  weak  uiMuarchi. 
hut  the  e.  .ngrei.;atiMn  i>\  this  vast  nrm\  <u'  the 
peasai:tr\  so  close  to  \'ur  e.ajiii.al,  h.is  .ikirnu'l  mauv 
nf  the  mure  timiil  n\  the  suhjeets  of  \our  realm;  sm 
much    SI.,    lliat    th.ey   are   e\en   now   cr}in;;   out    to  ih.e 


ri6 


IzolJa. 


I'alatiiic  to  at  once  (li^iiatcli  iIk'iii  iip'):!  tlu'ir  i)rais(.'- 
worthv  crusa<lt.'  a,L;aiti^t  llu-  iiatii.»n's  ciK-inics  ;  ami 
;-im-c  tlic  Lrre'alcr  part  of  tlio>o  who  have  ar.swcrL'd 
to  tlic  call  have  now  rcaclu'il  the  camp  at  iV'sth.  and 
the  time  is  ni')^t  oiiportunc  f' ir  a  'Icsccnt  upon  the 
Turks,  \vc  do  dccni  tiic  demand  of  the  people  most 
just  and  i"i,i;ht.  therefore  ilo  hut  now  discuss  accedin£;f 
thereto:  and  in  this,  there  hath  .arisen  some  friendly 
difference  as  to  whom  --hourl  fall  the  honor  of  con- 
ducJiuL,'-  forth  this  noble  array  as  it  enters  upon  its 
{glorious  mission.  It  h.ath  heen  said  1>\  many  that  to 
the  nohle  .\rchl)i>hoi),  and  to  none  other,  should  fall 
tltis  coveted  priNilei^'e.  I'.ut  our  meek  and  L;"enerous 
p'  ,   with    that    unstdt'islun'ss   and   hu;nl)leness    of 

s]  .1,  »\hich  are  such  marked  adornments  ot  his  char- 
acter, woidd  .^ladl\  forego  hi>-  ri^ht,  and  havinji^ 
])erformed  all  the  arduous  lahors  of  iiroclaimiuL,^  and 
ort^.ani/iu!,'  this  L;Teat  enterj)rise,  would  now  eff.ace 
In'mself,  .and  having;-  pl.accil  ilie  leadership  in  the  hands 
of  that  threat  and  illustrious  soldier,  George  Dozsa, 
wotdd  leave  entirely  to  his  discretion  the  conduct  of 
future  o])eratioiis.  The  keei)er  of  Your  Majesty's 
])ul)lic  ptirsi',  lio\M'\er,  lilies  not  to  S(.'e  his  nohle  and 
well  heloved  friend  thus  --acrihce  himself,  and  ar<:^ues 
that  it  is  l]u^'.  not  oid\  to  him  as  the  institjator  of  the 
glorious  e\]HMlition,  hut  aUo  to  the  ]iopulace,  who 
put  such  welhdeser\ c'l  faith  in  him  ;iud  delight  to 
pav  him  honor,  th.'st  he  sliould  personally  lead  fortli 
on  its  iournev,  this  va.st  .arr.a\  of  patriots.  e\en  thouiih 
he   later  leave   them  with  his  priestly  blessing:,  and 


Warritic:  Counselors. 


117 


of  affairs  t<i  tlicir  l)ravc 
cdinmap.ikT.  The  cniitrovci  ,-y  ln'tweon  tlu-sc  twD 
dear  frniid-  si'ciiis  hard  of  si-ttlcnuMit  for  tin-  iiol)le 
I'alatim-,  ulni  lu'sitatcs  to  take  uixni  liinisclf  to  pro- 
nounce a  decision  between  the  two.  each  of  ulioin 
lie  ii"Ids  in  sncli  hii^h  esteem  that  he  would  fain 
believe  hi>  opinion  to  be  just  and  rii,dit.  In  thi.; 
dilemma,  he  has  with  our  hearty  apjiroval,  deemed  it 
well  to  kavc  to  your  Majc-ty's  well  matured  wisd'im 
tlie  prononnceirient  in  the  i)oint  at  variance  bein^: 
fullv  persuaded  iliat  the  decision  will  l)e  \\i>e  and 
ri,-.,-htcous.  Speak  1  iiol  the  matter  rightly,  <  )  Noble 
Palatine  ?  " 

During  tliis  haran.r^tie,  the  wily  \'er1)oc/v  looked 
first  at  the  Archbishop,  then  at  the  Ireasurer  ami 
aj.;ain  at  the  Palatine,  concealing  under  a  bland  smile, 
the  satisfaction  he  felt  at  thus  covertly  stabbinL,\  each 
in  turn,  tlie  three  whom  he  more  than  detested,  and 
who  in  turn  likewise  detested  him.  while  thev  cordially 
hated  one  another.  They,  meantime.  thou.i;h  in- 
wardlv  writbint;  beneath  his  sarcasin.  strove  to  keen 
up  an  outward  calmness,  contentin.<^  themselves  with 
e\eini^  one  another  viciouslv.  as  he  repeatedly  re- 
ferred to  the  'close  friendshi])"  existini;  between  them. 
.\s  he  ceased  speaking:  with  a  direct  appeal  to  him, 
Stejiheii  Patiiorv  had  perforce,  to  make  show  of  ac- 
cepting- his  Matement  of  the  iiosition  of  affairs,  and 
b,^  of  th.  kiiit;  to  adjudicate  between  the  two 
"  friendlv  "'  disputants.  I'ladislaus  was  relieved  to  find 
that    no   v.ciL;litier   counsel   was   desired   of   him,   am! 


IIS 


I/old;i. 


I 


iiH 


lailf'l  uitcrlv  1"  perceive  tl;at  llic  Cliiif  Ju>tic(.'  l)Ut 
ninckiu!  liim  a-  well  a^  lii-  ntlur  a'lvi^cTS. 

"Dul)/c."  (h  i^  well),  lu'  nniarknl  Sfntfulinu^ly, 
"The  mat  tor  is  <>f  rcailv  sct'.Iiiiu  nt.  '['>  >  vdii.  'I'ln  mias 
r.akars.  who  \\m-ci!u'  <iri,:;iiial' >r  oi  ilvo  li'ily  rx])i' !i- 
tii>n,  sliotil'l  ciTlainlv  fall  the  I't  i>i  piittinL;  tlu-  army 
in  uiutio!;.  St  r  {<>  it  at  o;u-i',  in\  iii'I)lf  Arrlibishop ; 
the  soiiinr  tlic\  arc  at  tlir  tliroats  of  the  InfuKl  An^s 
the  lictirr.  I)Mi./i_'.  holi/r.  Wr  will  H'>\v  ninrn  to 
our  (  (tirt'ii  and  matters  <if  ni^rc  prt.  >>iii.^'"  import;" 
and  the  ]ni])pet   kincT  retiri'd. 

With  oiu-  .-iiTonl  all  now  turned  to  thr  uraihi'nl 
Arrhhi^h'  ip,  to  leant  w  h;:t  he  wmild  say.  tie\  i  r  di  mht- 
inL:  l"it  that  a  fierce  e\])losiuii  would  tal-.e  jdace.  I'nt 
eoiicealinL;  his  real  feeliiit:;s  mi'ler  that  mask  of 
habitual  cahnne--,  which  lie  so  well  kinw  how  to 
assnme  at  will,  tin  emulator  of  I'eter  the  IKrmit 
said  hr'   t1\. 

"The  will  of  the  kim;  imi-~l  he  o1)c}ed.  and  if  tiiy 
I'oor  weak  efforts  can  he  "\  an_\  a\ail  to  ipiiet  the 
fears  of  ilu'  faint-hearted  ad\isors  of  His  Majesiy, 
and  relieve  then  of  the  pre-eiice  of  this  "Army  of 
the  Lord,"  which  thev  stand  so  nmch  in  dreatl  of, 
I  shall  deem  m\seh'  fortunate  in  having;'  served  them. 
I  sh;dl  at  once  Intake  m\self  to  the  ramp  without 
tlie  _L;ates  of  I'e-th,  and  tni-t  tli.al  to-niorrow"s  sun 
--h.all  not  set  ere  the  onward  mo\-ement  shall  ha\'c 
he^itti.  As  to  the  base  ilesjj^ns  whiidi  you  have 
imputed  to  me.  C'otiies  Tele.a^edy— (  shrdl  not  attempt 
to  defend   mvself  from    \our  accn-alions,  siuce   it    i- 


in 


W'ariuiu  CuuiK^clors. 


119 


the  portion  of  thu-.,  who  waiM  Ncrvc  their  Gel  an<l 
church,  to  he  nuickeil  and  revilr.!  1)\  those  who  are 
in  ojiposition  to  the  jiroi^ress  ol  that  church.  \\  Ih 
thou  of  Teine-\ar  deii^n  to  acconi]>any  mv'"  Ami 
th'.u.  Xicolas  (.'-akv,  ])ra>  attend  our  movements." 
.Xni!  thus  without  further  parley,  the  cuiiferencc  came 
to  an  end. 


\l 


I  lO 


Izolda. 


CITAPTKR  X. 


THi:    .MUMi:.\T()LS    DIXISIOX. 


<>utsi(li-  iIk'  cit\  "i  (\-4li  all  i>  lilr  ami  activit\,  fur 
iuTc  is  a>Si  •  ,l)Kcl  a  iiiiL;li!y  cuicDurso.  CMine  to^ctluT 
trnin  all  jKirls  i.|'  the  kiiiL;iliim.  I  Ktc.  over  tlu-rc, 
away  voiiiliT,  w  -,  a^  far  a>  tlu-  f\r  can  rmch  in  cvcrv 
iliriiiii  in.  iivv  to  lie  srcii  :;rim|)s  i,\  pivn.  rouLrli  aiil 
uiK-i)Ulh  lookinL;  fur  the  iii'.xt  pait — thoni^Hi  imt  all-- 
j:;'atlK'rcil  ahont  tlnir  canip-lirr-,  --Mmc  siilinq,  otlicrs 
lullinj^  npon  tlic  earth.  uhiK-  .'tliors  a.qain  arc  hiisil,- 
engaged  in  cc.iain  cnlinary  («|HTatiiins  over  the  fires, 
for  it  is  api-)roaching  sundown  and  the  evenintx  meal 
is  that  which  now  coniniand>  the  attention  nf  each 
individual  of  this  vast  arraw  An  arnn  it  is  in  very 
truth,  heini,'- that  which  Ceorge  Di'izsa  has  been  called 
from  his  far  Tran.-yh'anian  home.  \<<  leail  in  its  pro- 
jected advance  against  tlie  Turks.  .\  crusade  it  is 
called,  and  the  term  is  perhaps  fittin-  in  more  wavs 
than  one.  C'ertainl\-  if  likene-s  to  that  tirsi  great 
array  marsh.alled  \^v  F\ter  the  Ifermit.  entitles  these 
to  the  name  o'  "tVusaders.'"  then  thev  are  rightlv 
called,  tor  these  hastily  gathered,  half-armed — ves. 
half-clail  groups.  ;ire  the  U)th  Centur\-  eounterjiart  of 
Peter's  ra'>M'-.  The  v.onten  and  children.  \vh'_) 
lormed  so  large  a  proportion  of  that  throng,  arc  not 


The   MoiiiciitoiH   Decision. 


I2T 


v.antintj  lu-rc  (.itluT.  iIikul,'!]  the  iiu'ii  lar):jely  j^rc- 
(loii'PKitc.  ^!n•^^.■  also  all  a^  uttiTly  ij^niorant  of  the 
trials  and  ilitVicultits  of  tlir  ])atli  tlu'v  have  clioscn  to 
tread,  as  were  those  of  tlie  earlier  centuries,  and 
nian\  now.  as  then.  ha\i-  oilur  nioti\es  ni  takinij  the 
cross,  than  a  constiniinLj  desire  for  the  extermination 
of  infidels  and  a  fervid  religion  zeal.  .Many  there 
ari',  in  despaii  and  utter  weariness  of  the  lony  stru^- 
i;le  for  hare  existence,  amid  the  (.'xactions  and  hnrdens 
placed  njion  them  hy  thosi  in  whose  |)ower  fate 
seemed  to  ha\e  inexorahly  fixed  them,  until  this  call 
of  Hakacs  to  arm  for  the  fr.iy  seinied  t"  come  as 
an  "  '  )pen  Sesame  "  to  k-;id  them  out  into  unexjiected 
free<lom.  I-'reedi'm"  ue  sas'.  'S'es.  free<lom  I''i>r 
the  restraint  of  heinj,'-  at  the  heck  and  call  of  their 
le;ider.  is  extreme  lihert}  compared  t<>  the  thraldom 
and  slaverv  of  their  every-(la\  existence.  Some  there 
are  wh'>  hint  darkly  at  a  }.,aeater  freedom  to  he  ob- 
lained  hv  means  of  this  very  crusade,  and  some  of 
these  can  even  now  he  seen  movint;  ahout  the  camp 
amoiiL,'-  the  dilTerent  i^ronps,  sto])]iinLr  here  to  con- 
verse awhile,  and  there  to  make  remarks,  whicli  they 
are  not  overly  anxious  to  limit  as  to  auditors,  ahout 
the  streii^'-tlt  wliich  is  lure  in  tlie  hands  of  the  peas- 
antrv,  and  which,  if  judiciously  used,  mitjht  extort 
greater  benefits  from  tlieir  masters  and  tyrant.^,  the 
Hunfjarian  nobles,  than  from  Turkish  Pashas. 

Truh  this  is  a  stran^je  scene,  and  as  evenin<^  comes 
on  ajtace  and  twilight  falls,  it  becomes  almost  weird 
and  unearthlv.  The  variecl  figures  which  are  thrown 
into  relief  bv  tlic  bright  flames  from  the  htuidreds  of 


I :. 


l/ukU: 


canii)-fir(  ~.  tlu-  li.ilu  1  of  souiul — now  the  monotonous 
niurnnir  of  many  tongues  in  conversation,  attain  the 
sonj;  as  one  altemjits  to  amnse  his  fellows  hy  his 
vocal  aeeomplishmi-nts,  while  closi'  at  liaml  voices 
mav  he  raiseil  in  loud  altercation  as  some  chancj 
dispute  rouses  opp(jnents,  and  not  far  away  the  dis- 
cord from  some  extemporized  mi'sical  instrument  is 
drowiu'i]  in  \\\r  ]'  md  lau^^^lUrr  of  a  l.n.  't  w  ho  lii]I.ilii,:,li 
revil  closi'  liv.  And  now  the  meal  having  heen  dis- 
posed of,  hy  this  and  that  tire,  a  circle  of  dancing 
forms  irrov.-  fantastic,  in  their  uhirlin^'S  anl  l;\  rations 
as  the  liqiires  of  the  csardas  are  pcrfoniu'd  lo  the 
ti'ne  of  some  ;ieci  unjian;,  in„'  musician,  while  trom  f;ir 
off  in  the  darl<ness  in  an  unexpected  (juarter  comes 
.'I  i)lainiive  and  sweet  strain  as  an  unseen  singer 
wp.rhles  his  heart's  song,  in  the  soft  cadence  of  the 
Magyar  tongue,  the  cl'anii  of  wliich  is  rudel}'  Iirokeii 
lierhaps  l.v  the  harslu  r  ar.<l  more  guttural  notes  of  a 
Czech  warrior  neiw  hy.  Tents  are  jiitched  clo^e  to, 
and  retlected  in  many  a  lirelighi,  and  rude  shelters 
besi(k'  man\  more;  hiil  hy  far  the  greater  portion  of 
these  forty  thonsa"d  peasaiUs,  stretch  tluiiisehes 
Ix'tiealli  the  star'-,  when  seeking  for  repose. 

'rhre.-niing  our  wa\'  in  atid  out  ;imong  these  vari- 
otis  grou])s,  strange  and  v;iried  sights  ]iass  before 
our  eyes,  and  stran.ger  still  might  he  in  store,  did  we 
exercise  the  pri\ilege  of  looking  within  I'ach  shelter 
is  we  ]iass  li_\  ;  hut  refraining,  we  jiass  them  all.  tmtil 
we  approach  a  tiMit.  largi  r  than  th.e  rest,  and  from 
which  a  bright  light  shines  steadily,  and  enterin;;'  we 
fmd  ourselves  in  the  firesencc  of  George  Duzsa,  the 


I  he    M  niiii.  titdiis    Decision, 


cotnmandcr  ni  this  motley  arr.i\.  IKrr  tlun  is  the 
mail  in  wlicjsc  liand  rests,  lor  tlu-  muim  m,  the  fate  of 
iiis  country, — yea.  even  of  mucli  i>f  woivrii  luimiie. 
I'rovc  faithful  to  ih.'  tru-t  wliirli  lia-  lu-i-n  r^iin^r  1 
in  tliee,  and  tlie  fanatical  Turk  may  he  pressed  back 
into  iiis  Asiatic  desert,  whence  he  has  emerc^ed  and 
striven  to  overrun,  with  tire  and  sw^rd.  the  lands 
which  alTect  allegiance  Im  that  C'liri-t,  wlui-e  claim  to 
Divine  Sonship  he  deride>.  ;md  wh^i-e  worship  he 
would  hy  \iok'nce,  \\ii)e  Innn  oft  the  face  of  the  earth. 
If  thou  wilt  htit  uphold  till'  past  ricord  of  llmii^arian 
arms,  the  mi>si|ue  shall  nut  he  ]ier!iiiU'. '!  t'l  rear  its 
^ditteriiiL,'  dome  "V  the  muex./in's  c;dl  \"  prayer  re- 
sound tiirou:^li  I  .nee  (."liri^tian  land> :  hut,  li-ten  to 
the  ifeaMiu,  \sliieh  vw  tlii-.  >ulitle  ;ulvi>er<  haw 
stri\en  t'>  whimper — na\.  shriek — iiUM  thine  i-ars, 
jiriivc  recreant  In  tli>  ini-l,  atid  a  cemur\'  of  I'.a-tern 
darkness  will  envelo])  thy  heloved  I  Imi'j^ar}- ;  and  her 
jx'ojile  shall  ,L;rii;in  i<<r  a;^'es  under  hm-dens  even 
i;realer  than  those  tiic)    now  complain  of. 

Seated  ami  stainlin^-  ;il>i  nit  the  tent,  are  si  )me  d(  >7.vn 
or  more  of  his  sul'ordin;ite  olhcers,  several  1)\' 
their  dress  and  jaunty  carria'^e.  shouini,^  evidence 
of  more  or  less  milit.nry  training;',  hut  the  majoritN' 
show  \er\'  jilaiiily  that  they  are  not  in  their  natural 
sphere,  while  some  can  at  once  he  reco^ni;ud  as 
peaceful  traders — inha.hitants  of  the  city.  (hie.  more 
noticeahU'  than  any  otlur  hoih  hy  his  denie.aiior  and 
dress,  is  ]ilainl\'  a  ]irie-t  :  he  is  in  fact  l)o/s;i's  chief 
lieutenant,  Lawrence  .Meszaros.  All  at  the  moment 
have  their  attention  directed  to  one,  who,  standins^ 


1^4 


I/oliia. 


m-t  inside  llii  iMliaiuc  m|'  tlic  tint,  i^  mIu  nntlv 
ilflivtTuij;  liiinsili  tM  tlicir  cliitt.  an. I  it  mnil-  n<>l  llic 
skill  of  a  initnl  naiKT,  i'<  irarn  that  ln.>  sintnucnis 
ri.'iH-i\i'  the  luaitv  aiipnual  of  tlu'  L^rrater  jioriion 
of  his  auilitor-.  '\"oi!MiKr.  (  )  XoliK-  (."aptaiii  '  lla> 
not  kind  fortune,  or  more  tnithfulU.  tlie  <.;oi  id  (",.id, 
Iiinis(li.  ill  wisdom.  Who  at  times  doi'-  make  llis 
enemits  to  lay  sn.ir.s  for  their  oun  eiitam^K'Hient, 
lil.-'.eed  lu're  in  yoin-  h;inds  the  me.'ins  to  aeeonijihsh 
tiio  (Icdiver.anee  of  tho  in'ople  from  the  iron  h.tnd  of 
■•'^ression,  whit  h  has  held  them  in  sueli  enie!  hoU'l- 
;.,^-'.  f\er  L;ro\\ini;  more  hitrdeiis,  mie,  for  so  m.'inv 
years;-'  I>  it  it,,t  plain  that  to  y,  at  is  entrusted  an 
etilcrprise.  more  m-,L,M'nt.  more  humane  and  more 
!io1)]e  than  the  le-adershij)  of  a  ilozen  ci'usades?  Ttd! 
me.  <  )  my  hrethren" — tiirniiij:^.  with  readv  tact,  to  the 
company  —  "Wh.-it  sh.all  it  prot'it  Us,  if  we  heml  our 
eiUT,<,'ies  to  do  battle  ai^aiust  the  Turks,  who  at  worst 
arc  distant  foes  and  do  not  now  menace  the  country, 
ant;  liavini:^  srcccoded  in  o\eicomini^  them,  (if  wc  l)c 
so  fortun;ite,  \\hicdi  f  sometimes  doubt,  for  t!v.>\  n^2 
many  of  them  mighty  warriors)  and  m;in\-  of  our 
ntmiher  h.ivim^^  sacrificed  their  lives  in  the  etlort, 
those  of  us  who  are  left  have  iiothiuL;  to  look  for- 
ward to  hut  a  return  to  the  .ahject  slaverv.  which  has 
of  late  hecome  so  unlie.araMe  to  ;dl  who  have  one 
spark  <if  manhood  remaining:  in  them'  While,  on 
the  other  hand,  Iutc  are  we  some  fortv  thousanfl 
strong-,  all  united  in  the  cinsciousness  of  the  justice 

I'f   our    cause;    'twere    luit    JihlX'.    ahiio't,    to    turn    l.ipoii 

our  taskmasters,   and    puttin::   to  good   account    the 


11 


The   Momentous   OrLisinti. 


125 


amis,  wIulIi  tlicy  liavr  so  o|)p(irtuiu'ly  tuniislu'(l  us 
with,  ciinijiil  tluin  to  ailju-l  mir  wroii^.s  and  h.  a 
C'Miipk'to  ri'iuiHlcliii!;  of  ill-'  law-  and  j^'ovcrnnR'nt, 
contrivf  tliat  troni  luiudi  >nli  ur  -IkiII  >liaro  witli 
till  in  the  1kiu1i1>  from  wluvdi  v\i  arc  now  cxclmlc'd  • 
ulnlf  tlif\  sli.ill  Ixar  tlioir  fair  -hare  of  tlir  l)niilcns 
from  wliich  tluy  arc  now  rntirily  I'xompt.  \\  liat 
sav  vou  '  Mn-t  not  onr  coinmanclrr.  in  jn-tico  to  if^, 
a-  well  as  to  liinisrlf.  now  plav  tlv  m.an,  and  listrnint: 
'o  tlic-  crii's  of  onr  child ri'ii,  who  ijijical  to  liini.  tlirow 
(l.iwn  tlic  L;annilct  to  the  1  hmi^'arian  noldc  ralhcr 
than  to  the  Tnrkisli  Snitan?" 

A  murinnr  of  assent  ran  round  tlic  tent  as  the 
speaker  ]/aused.  anil  all  eyes  were  fixed  ujion  I)o/sa, 
who,  after  a  panse  makes  answer,  wliich  from  the 
hesitancy  with  which  he  speaks  gives  evidence  that 
he  is  waverinj,'. 

"That  which  you  say,  brave  John,  has  much  of 
Irnlh  in  it;  hut  consider,  that  what  you  advise  means 
lla^Tant  rehellioii  a-ainsl  the  kini^-,  and  ;ilso  that  each 
one  of  us  would  have  to  prove  traitor  to  the  vow. 
which  we  iuive  taken,  to  prosecute  this  crusade  and 
to  draw  onr  swortls  only  in  the  cause  of  the  Cross. 
Sin-elv,  lleaviu  would  not  smile  ui)on  an  army  of 
rehels  and  oathdireakers,  and  our  ])lans  would  all 
Come  to  naut,dit." 

.\,Li;ain  tlie  other  s])caks.  and  his  zeal  and  enert;y 
are  in  marked  contrast  to  the  indecision  of  the  com- 
mander. 

"  \s  to  the  Kin.ij,  we  sliall  he  fi<;htiiv;  for  liis  liberty, 
as  much  as  for  our  own ;  for  tlicse  bloodsuckers  have 


126 


l/(,K!a. 


rc(liiC(.il  Iiini  to  almost  a^  \)Hbu  slavery  as  ourselves, 
until  he  has  I)ccoinc  hut  a  jnippet  in  tlie  liau'ls  i.f 
those,  who  for  the  time  do  iiianaLje  to  j^rasp  tlie  lead- 
ing strinj^s, — and  as  for  our  vows:  have  we  not  here 
the  p^ood  ])riest,  Meszaros,  to  ahsolve  us  from  them? 
lie  will  tell  us  truly,  that  a  vow  taken  in  a  false  cause 
is  of  none  effect,  and  this  crusade  that  we  have  em- 
harked  in,  is  most  utterly  false,  aimiu'^  more  at  the 
ailvancenunt  of  tlie  amhitions  of  one  man — the  Arch- 
l)isho|)  who  preaches  it. — than  any  heuefit  for  the 
Church  he  professes  to  serve,  ^^ay  1  not  truly,  my 
true-hearted  Lawrence ?" 

Tile  sollier  ])riest  hastened  to  yive  hi>  nr.qualified 
assent  to  all  ilinl  tlie  fiery  orator  had  s.r  I,  Imi  was 
interrupted  hy  the  ]iartinj:^  <jf  the  hani,Mm;s  of  the 
tent  and  the  eiitranc  ■  of  the  Archhishop,  accomoanied 
hy  the  Conies  of  TenieN  an<'  "he  I'.ishop  of  Csanad. 
All  h.-'stc'iied  to  make  due  obeisance  and  remained 
standinij  while  I)oz>a  jirolTered  him  a  seat,  and  en- 
(piired  to  what  cause  he  was  indebted  for  the  hi,q;h 
hoiiiir  of  his  visit.  W  itlioiu  loss  of  time  Flakacs  ])ro- 
Ceeileil  to  the  fulfillinj.^  of  tlie  ta^k,  wliieli  had  keen 
pressed  upon  him  at  *he  couneik 

"f  come,  my  brave  Captain,  to  remind  \  ou  ihai  a 
Zealous  -oldier  <.f  the  Cross,  such  as  1  have  been  led 
to  br]i(_\e  you  are,  should  be  up  and  doiiiL,^.  ^^l^ 
have  now,  feathered  here  beuLatli  y.ur  banners,  a 
vast  army  of  forty  thousand  sworn  crusa<Iers,  who  I 
am  sure,  must  be  all  im]iatient  for  the  time  to  come, 
wlieii  tnev  shall  be  leil   forth  to  face  the  foe.     TIh  ii 


whv   do   \-ou   hesitate' 


The   good   citize 


of   I\>sth 


:h 


The   MoiiKiitous  Decision. 


127 


arc  already  beginning-  to  grumble  at  the  prolonged 
(lelav,  especially  as  it  is  no  light  matter  to  feed  such 
a  great  concourse  as  this,  and  they  find  the  duty  most 
burdensome.  Also  >ou.  iis  an  expiriLiiccd  geniral, 
know  thai  it  i^  not  wise  to  allow  your  cnmiiis  tune 
for  preparation  to  meet  your  advance,  and  these 
Turks,  who  have  proved  themselves  such  fanatical 
fighters,  should  n..t  be  given  any  upiM.nunilv  b>  plan 
machinal ir.ns  against  the  Army  <.\  llu-  L'^rd  I'.ut, 
it  may  l)e  that  I  am  speaking  hastily.  an<l  thai  y<ni 
are  even  now  in  readiness  10  name  to  nic  tlu-  Imnr  m 
which  you  purpose  striking  your  tents  and  inarchmg 
forth  against  these  desecrat.irs  .d  the  Sepulchre.      Is 

it  even  so?  " 

Inwardly  chafi-.ig  at  the  culling  remarks  oi  the 
Archbishoii.  Dozsa  makes  promi)t  replv.  «iuile  irec 
from  tile  hesitancy,  which  was  >o  marked  in  his  utter- 
ance but  a  -hiTt  time  before. 

••  ^■,,n  -prak  much  that  is  indeed  irnlh.  M  -I  ICxcel- 
Icnt  Sir.  b.ut  1  u-uld  humbly  imuiU  out  that  the 
soldier,  who  is  about  to  set  nut  ui-mu  a  camiiaigii.  has 
many  preparations  to  mal;e  that  those  nnaccpiainted 
Willi' the  art  ..f  war  think  naught  of.  Trnlv.  1  have 
lure  ab,,ut  me  a  great  army  "i  men.  but  iliey  stnl 
l.aek  mneh  th.at  is  necessary  t..  e(|uii.  them  f.^r  the 
C^I,]  -i-lu'  arms  provided  are  by  no  means  suthcient 
to  furnish  all  proin-rly,  and  I  canne.t  ask  men  to  i)r- 
ceed  against  a  courageous  and  w.ll-anned  foe  hk'^ 
the  I'urk.  without  prnviding  tluni  with  the  nuaiis  ... 
oupiisi'  him. 

'  ••  .\rms.  Sir!     Aivl  d..  you  talk  to  me  ..f  arms,  who 


128 


Izolda. 


[f 


have  already  (leli\ere<l  ti>  -u  sucii  ^:^reat  quantities 
procured  at  iiiinr  i>\vn  t'N|ieiisc,  hi-side  those  whieli 
lia\'C  been  funiisluil  1)\  order  of  the  Diet?  What 
tiirtlier  wnuld  \ .  ni  liaxer  I  V)  yon.  in  truth.  e\i)ect  to 
Kad  inv.U  an  .army  of  peasants  armed  ea])-.i-i)ie  ?  .\ 
hra\e  .-Ihas  int,'.  surel  ,  sniiu'  nf  vour  hra\(.'  warriors 
would  in.ake.  (nine:  eniiui;li  of  sueli  \ain  parley. 
When  are  we  to  re])ort  that  \i>\\  will  he  ready  to  take 
the  field;'"  l)('izsa's  hrow  enutraeted.  and  his  eye 
had  an  ominous  j.,ditter  duriut,'-  this  la>t  sp^.^.e)!,  hut 
he  eontrdlleij   himself  and   .answered   enldK. 

■'  |-'ven  so  iJKMi.  W'c  will  expect  no  further  arnn 
for  the  prosecution  of  this  rnterpri>e  ;  hut  Ix-fore  I 
had  fnrlh  tlu'se  half-armed  CMmpanic-  t^  he  sI.inMht- 
ered  h\  the  intideN,  tluTe  is  .auothiT  matter  whicli  I 
nnist  submit  to  \"iiur  <  iracc  .an-l  lo  \i  lu  also,  noble 
( 'onies.  .Since  I  h;i\e  been  hnrmred  b\  tin-  connnand 
of  this  armv  of  the  iru^ade.  it  h.as  conie  t"  mine  ^  ars, 
indeed  it  has  been  openly  t'lld  to  me.  that  ihe  ]ieas- 
;mts  do  not  I'xju'Ct  to  m,u"ch — cann.  be  ])ersu;ided 
to  m.arch — as^ainst  the  inv.  until  tluv  have  the  assur- 
ance that  the  burdens  midtr  which  the\  h.a\c  lal)"rcd 
fur  s(i  many  \a-ars,  will  hi'  li^htcueil.  Thev  .arc  fullv 
a^rreed  that  ;!>  the\  h.ivi'  r.ntil  now  Ixirnt'  all  tlie 
burdens,  wlnlc  vou  .and  your  friends  h.ave  nctived  .all 
the  pri\il(i;es.  that  some  concessions  should  be 
vouchsaled  to  tdu'm  crc  lhe\-  take  up  still  .another 
burden,  .and  expose  tJH'mselves  to  death  .and  their 
familit's  to  want,  whde  vou  f.avored  ones  still  remain 
at  home,  to  (|uiellv  re.ap  all  tln'  beia'tlts  of  tlnir  h.ard- 
ships.  i^^ome  .ai'swir  must  be  made  to  ilair  de- 
inaiids,  crc  I  can  liupc  lo  move  the  army." 


jl^ 


The   Momentous   nccision. 


129 


Tlie  clu'ck^  I'f  the  liin  wlu)  li-^l.  iied  jnTCeptil)!)' 
paleil  .".I  iIk'Sc  1)1  lid  wonl^  uf  the  crusailer  captain 
and  after  a  l)rie!  ulii^])r!cil  ei  MiMiltatidn  with  the 
C'linies  of  Tcnies,  the  ArchliisliDp  airain  si)ol<e. 

'"A  hold  reijaest  and  ri,i;ht  lioldly  imt.  and  it  is  jier- 
haps  not  withimt  jn-tice  that  the  peasant^  so  reason. 
I'.ut  vou  may  he  safe,  hrave  ^ir,  in  annoiinoniL;-  to 
\i)nr  followers  ihuit  the  nohk-  j)leased  at  tlu-  trne 
lovaltv  shown  liv  so  mans  hrave  iteasant*-.  will  he 
most  i;racious.  and  will  in  fact  make  earni-st  rej)re- 
sentations  to  the  Kin;:;  that  he  on;,dn,  a^  far  as  pos- 
sihle  to  li-hten  the  hnrdt'ii  of  taxes,  which  rests  so 
hcasiiN  njion  them.  Hut  hasten  von  now  lo  arram;e 
for  .-m  iiinnediate  advance  ay.'iinst  the  foe' 

■•.\oi  >o,  m\'  craftN  Chnrchman,"  comes  tlu-  qnick 
resjxjnse.  "We  are  not  to  !)e  hontjht  hy  ■>nch  cheaj) 
]>romises  as  that,  l-'i.cht  well  do  \  on  know  that  it 
is  not  from  the  hand  of  the  Kin.i:  that  the  peasants 
~nfTer  s\icli  heavv  exactions;  Init  from  the  noMes, 
who  have  >horn  the  '  Miarch  of  hi--  I'owr,-  for  their 
own  enrichment.  Xo.  The  Diet  mn4  he  snm- 
nioned.  and  acts  of  relief  pas-ed  heforc  a  soldier 
moves  from  this  cam])."  I'.akac^  hecame  white  with 
ani^er. 

■"\\h;it!  N'on  ilarr  to  dictate  ihns  to  me!  He 
carefnl  what  \  on  do,  (  )nce  more  1  a-k  \on,--and  I 
warn  \on  tlial  the  han  of  the  Chnrch  will  he  npon 
\i/u.  it  von  refuse, — will  yon  lead  this  arniv  fortii 
upon  the  hiL;h  mission  assigned  to  it  hy  the  Holy 
l-'atlurr      I'anse.  ere  von  answer  rashly." 

"A'ea,"  pnt   in  the  Conus  of  'I'emes.     "Show  thy- 
9 


i.]o 


I/.olda. 


i 


self  worthy  of  i!i\-  r(.]nitatiim  as  a  l)ravc'  ami  prmifin 
warriiir.  and  w(,'ii;li  wi'Il  ihv  w.irds  of  tin.'  Arrlilii-Iiop, 
before  (loin^  that  which  uiH  r.M-t  a^-iirodlv  hrin^^ 
(lisastiT  .iH'l  niin  ujHin  lluc  aiiu  all  thy  lijUnwcrs.  ' 
l'"irin  and  dtcidcd  camt-  the  answer. 

"1  will  nut,  excrpt  mi  ih.c  U■rn^■^  i>rtered." 

"(  >,  wretched  man.  th>  smuTs  damnation  ho  upon 
thine  nun  hea.l,  fnr  thou  ha^t  sinned  must  wilfnlly. 
Mav  tile  enrse  "f  ('.ml  re-^l  ninni  tliec  and  all  thine 
liMiisc.  Tiiiui  art  f(.rever  cnt  citT  I'r. un  die  Church, 
and  lier  -acraineiits  are  denieil  tliee.  And  may  any, 
will)  in  defiance  nf  this  :.(>ieinn  edict  uf  Most  Holy 
(.'luirch,  aid  or  succor  thee,  he  even  as  thou  art. — an 
outcast  frdui  her  hnsmn.  I'o  you.  ()  l.aArence 
Meszaros,  1  commit  the  task  of  seeinjj;  that  ih.is  edict 
is  observed  and  of  absolviiiLr  all  officers  and  soldiers 
from  further  allegiance  to  thi-  man."  Then,  turnint; 
to  tlie  a>-emhl<'d  leaders.  ".\re  there  none  ot  you 
here  jireseiit.  who  can  i)ersuade  your  captain  from 
rushiuL;  to  his  i  \er'astinjj^  di'strtictiou  ,'  ' 

I''or  j'.itvwer  all  ro>c  and  --ilciulv  raii^i'd  tlu'm>elves 
aloUL^sidc'  of  Cieor^i^e  I  )o/>a,  who  with  a  smile  of  tri- 
umph, once  more  addressed  the  Archbishop. 

"\"on  refused  to  listen  to  my  warning;  and  nmv  the 
die  is  i-ast,  and  that  b\  your^ch'.  lieiiceforih.  the 
uobKs  mav  exjiect  no  alleL;"iaiice  from  the  ]:ea~aiits. 
(  )r.t  of  uiv  tnit  and  camp,  ihou  A^'j:  of  a  prrjured 
priest,  lest  I  serve  llue  as  thou  de-er\e4,  and  lay 
\iolent  hands  upon  thee;"  and  stiidini^;  to  the  en- 
tr.ince.  lie  raiseil  the  ll;t|i  and  fairl\  dro\e  the  au.L,Mist 
trio  forili  into  the  d.arkmss.  and  tlieii  tinned  to  lake 


■U. 


The   Momentous   Decision. 


131 


fresh  counsel  with  his  folloucTs,  as  lo  what   should 
1)1-  <K)ne  uudii"  the  cliangcd  conditions. 

I'.akacs  and  his  ctjinpani' ins  went  forth  int<>  tlic 
darkness  in  no  very  ]deasant  f.-.nne  of  mind,  and  as 
they  strode  t!iron,i;h  the  now  cjuieled  canij),  it  si'enied 
as  tliough  the  eleinents  had  n>nsed  theniS(l\es  in 
sympathy  with  the  fierce  human  ijassions,  which  ruled 
in  the  breasts  of  the  ])articipants,  in  the  momentous 
conference  just  ti-rminateil.  and  which  held  full  sway 
in  the  hearts  of  so  many  of  those  in  that  silent  host. 
The  wiuil  had.  risen  from  a  .gentle  hreeze  to  almo-t  a 
.L;ale,  coining;  and  i^oini.,^  in  \iolcnt  ^'Usts,  which 
seemed  aliwut  to  sweeji  cvirx tliint.;'  before  them,  and 
aj^ainsl  winch  the  thri'e  i  loaked  fe.Mire^  had  difficulty 
in  makint^  proijress, —  were  indeeil  more  than  once 
almost  lifted  of?  their  feel, — while  dark  an^ry  clouds 
drove  low  across  llu-  broken  sky.  wiiich  \\as  evir  ;uid 
anon  lighted  u]i  by  fitful  flashes  of  l;_L,dnnm,iX  i>f  ni- 
tense  brillianc;.-,  followed  by  hoarse  mutterini^s  of 
tliundir.  Well  mii,dn  f)ne  imagine  that  Heaven's 
artilleiy  was  ')eini.j  hurried  up  for  action  and  directed 
b\  an  an.i;r\-  (jo<1.  was  about  to  pour  its  batteriis  with 
cKadl}  effect  upon  the  sleepinj.^  cam]i  in  just  riiribn- 
tiiiu  f.  ir  the  contemjilated  outrai^e  and  sacriU-.^e  of  'is 
commander  : —arid  better  far  had  it  been  fi  ir  all.  liad 
this  fancy  been  indei^d  the  n.alit)'.  and  t'le  whole  vast 
throng  been  swept  at  once  into  etunitx,  bt  fi  .re  !)e!nf^ 
jH'rmitti'cl  to  embark  in  that  cour-e.  the  d:re  eifects  of 
which  are  fell  b\  the  naliMii  until  llii-'  dav.  Rain  was 
al-o  falluii;-.  n«.t  in  a  ste.adv  down]. our.  but  in  driviuL^^ 
sliet'ts  .if  water,  whicdi  penetrated  to  the  skin,  despite 


'32 


Izorda. 


all  jirotcction.  iiii'l  tlircatnu'il  to  turn  portions  ol  the 
cam])  i;r(<unil  into  small  lakes.  1  he  tires,  which  a 
short  time  since  had  hurnei!  -,.  iiri^htly  ami  clieerily, 
were  now  exlinj^uislied,  and  were  marked  only  by  the 
nmnerous  hea]>s  of  soilden  cinders  and  i)artiall\  con- 
-umeil  stick-.  Here  and  there  a  knut  nf  hall  ckul 
lii^^ures.  like  a  sw;irm  of  aiv^ry  Iiees  called  fdrth  fn  im 
their  nest  ]>\  tlie  attack  upon  it  i>f  s.une  intruder, 
CKiild  he  seen  in  a  st.tte  of  excited  activity,  striviui;  to 
ri.^ht  a  tent  or  -helter.  which  had  i;inie  down  before 
one  of  the  -udd'H  lik'tsts  which  -wept  down,  upon 
tln'Ui.  'I'ruh.  an  unin\itin-  and  dis])iritini;  scene  as 
coiu])ared  to  that  sinie  c;'.:!!])  some  three  or  four 
honrs  earlier. 

Ihi'  the  w.'iirln^f  elements  without,  received  little 
lie<  d  from  the  comiian_\'  within  Do/sa"^  tent,  who  now 
tlial  the  die  had  been  cast,  were  busily  eULTai.red  in 
mappini^^  out  a  ])lan  for  imnu'dlate  action.  A  marked 
chan_u'e  had  taken  ])Iace  in  the  cliief"s  manner,  since 
the  interview  witli  Ikikacs.  T-efore,  lie  was  vacillat- 
in<:^  and  uiideci  led,  altoL^etlier  a  source  of  an.xiely, 
and  witha!  a  \erv  unceri.ain  ipiantity,  to  those  who 
were  urL;in!.^  the  i-niploymeut  of  tin'  jiower  placed  In 
his  hands,  for  th.e  coercion  of  their  oj>pressors.  lUit 
now  he  is  all  animation  aiid  eiUers  hear'ily  into  the 
arran;;em(nt-,  imi)atiently  liadin,i;,  where  before  he 
liad  been  most  unwillingly  drai,yL;'eil.  Lawrence 
Meszaros  smiles  ap])r<jvin<.;ly  aside,  in  answer  to  the 
(luestionim:;  looks  bent  iqion  him  by  more  th.-m  one 
of  the  consjiirators :  for  he,  better  ver-ed  than  they, 
perhaps,   in  the  workings   of  the  human   mind,   well 


'I'lio    Motnciitous   Dtcision. 


IJ3 


imi.KtsI'hhI  that  the  relief  to  D''>/.>iu  in  kiunvin^'  that 
111'  was  now  (kfmiti'ly  C(iniinittc-il  to  open  roliellioii, 
imi>t  indeed  1)0  ^reat,  even  thou.^h  such  a  -lire  l)Mlt 
as  the  ecclesiastical  ban  had  already  dropped  at  hi- 

feet. 

Tile  storm  had  i)asse<l.  and  the  dawn  of  another 
dav  was  ahout  to  hreak  ere  that  company  dispersed, 
havin;:^  arranped  for  the  immediate  commencement  of 
that  campaii-n  of  l)l)od  ami  tire,  Inch  was  to  so 
ernelly  lacerate  devoted   Ilinif^ary,  leave  its  im- 

].ress  ni'i.n  the  land  and  its  peojiie,  lor  centuries  to 
follow,  poor,  mist,niided,  sliort-sij;lited  and  betrayed 
limna  itv;  ever  tlyitii:  in  the  face  of  that  beneticeiU 
Providence,  which,  if  but  allowed  to  have  free  course, 
would  ri^ht  all  wroivj^s  and  free  fallen  humanity  of  so 
much  which  now  distresses  and  degrades  il! 


»J4 


Izolda. 


m 


C'llAI'TI'.R   XI. 


AX     III'.ROIC     I'MI.rKK. 


I/Tolda  romniiuil  for  snnu'  linu'  sunk  in  lilackcst 
(Kspair.  Sudden!}  ^lu■  --praiiL;"  tn  lur  frci  wiih  a  cry. 
Wliat  was  that  lur  latlicr  had  >aid  to  Ikt  iiji'Mi  the 
moniini;-  of  his  dcijariurc  ?  In  licr  j;riri'  and  anxiety 
.'it  his  ^"■'Miil;-,  she  had  paid  ]>n\  little  heed,  and  uiilil 
Hmw  had  utterly  forijotten  hi^  \\■ilrd.■^. 

"My  daughter.  I  tru^t  that  all  will  he  well  with 
you  duriui,'-  my  ahsenee,  and  that  iianu;ht  l>ii!  ]ieaee 
and  (jiiiet  wi'!  he  your  1- 't  until  ii'y  return:  lut,  in 
case  any  ^t;reat  dant;er  shduld  ari>e,  push  llir  sivtii 
panel  fyoui  tlic  southeast  c>nu-r  of  your  )ib'llur's 
sitliii;^  '-ooiii  '>l'f  the  nuiin  ho.U.  There  yuu  will  hud 
safety."  W  hy.  this  wa^  the  ver\'  room.  What  could 
he  ha\e  meant?  She  wdiiM  soim  discover  what. 
Kn^hiuL;'  to  tlie  eastern  wall,  which  '  o  t'wrnied  the 
outside  wall  lit  the  huildinj:^,  cle)se  uj)  a.^ain^n  the  hi.L^h 
clitT  before  spoken  of,  site  (|iiickly  found  the  I'anel  he 
liad  in ent idled  ;  f'  ir  ihi.-  ruMni,  unlike  anv  other  in  the 
lionse,  was  far  nmre  ]irelentious  i!i  ;idi  irmnent,  the 
walls  bein^  ixiiielled  to  the  ceiliui;,  richly  carved  and 
showinq-  evidence  of  much  skilled  workinanship.  At 
first  the  C'irl  inatle  no  impression  upon  the  panel  ;  but 
as  alio  sfruck  it  wiih.  lier  clenched  hand  it  irave  forth 


All    llcroic    Failure. 


'J5 


agaiii'-t    It. 


u  snuiii!.  ill  Iraiitio  lia^u-  slu-  tliri.'\v  lur-^rlt 
im!  was  i\\var'l<.-<l  !>>  fccliiiL,'  il  K'^>^' 
hciK-atli  lur  uri,L;lit.  tli"U,:^li  a>  >!u'  Aww  hack  b. 
n-^ain  lur  halaiicr.  it  -cciiu'il  as  iiiuncvaMo  a-^  rviT. 
F.nci'iira;^!. '1  liv  llii-  nu'asiiri.'  nf  >uccfss,  slu-  rrinnu'il 
to  tlic  attack,  an.l  luirlcl  lur  IkmIv  with  all  Iut 
strcii-th  a.^ain-t  tlic  waM,  uitli  the  rcMilt  that  it 
yicMcil  so  stt<M>-nl\  as  t>i  throw  Iut  upon  the  tloor 
hfvoiul.  whilr  the  'lo.ir.  or  p;uu'l.  as  so. m  as  relieved 
of  her  wei-ht.  clo.-eil  hehiiul  her  witli  an  unseen 
spriiu.:. 

She  seenie.l  in  utter  darkness  at  t'irst.  hut  i^Tadually 
luT  eves  L^rew  accustonied  to  the  uiooni.  and  she  -aw 
that   she  v.as   in   a   chaniher  almost   as  larL,'-e  as   that 
whicli   she   had    just   (|uitted.     ThoUi^h   lonsj  disused, 
il  was  evident  that  it  had  l>een  ])repared  with  a  view 
of  ciMicealnient  in  time  of  dan-er.     Tlie  ,L;reater  part 
of  the   riMMii   was   an   artificial  cavern,  hollowed   out 
fi-Mui  the   side   of  tlu.'  hill,  hut    from  the  face   of  the 
cliff  to  the  outside  wall  of  the  liousc  was  some  eit,dit- 
cen  inches,  which  space  had  heen  cunninc^ly  closed  on 
either  side  hv  ^hruhs  and  vines,  which  years  of  t^nnvth 
had  formed  into  a  natural  and  im[)enetrahlc  harrier: 
the   tendrils   and   leaves   of  the   vines   were   also   en- 
twiiu'd   overlu'ad,  hut   some   rays   of  li^dit   stnuruled 
throuL^h,  so  that  a  senii-twilif^lu  prevailed.     After  the 
first  surprise,  a  feelin.ij  of  oreat  disapi^ointmeut  came 
to  holda.     This  was  indeed  a  place  of  refutje.  hut  in 
the   pre-ent   difficulty  it   was  of  n<i   assistance.      She 
turned  to  retrace  her  steps,  hut  was  arrested  hy  the 
sound  of  voices  ujion  the  other  side  of  the  partition. 


Ill' 

II 


'  i 


..^6 


I/oUi 


What  u,i-  liciii;^'  -.aiil  -iii-  coiilil  iml  ili^ccrn.  Imt  it 
\\a^  i|uilc  r\iiKiil  that  some  mu'.  romin;^  tn  si^k  Iut, 
liail  t'liuuil  luT  iImwii  ami  lia'l  oalii-il  a  m'Cihi'I  ti>  taki.' 
I'lun-oi  a-  t"  li'T  "iraii^i-  ili-a]>i>caraiK-i'.  It  wotil'l 
lU'xcr  'I'l  l'<ir  hrf  to  rc-i-ntcr  that  rMinii  imw.  ami  -> 
(li-.cl'>sf  tlic  sfcnt  oliamhcr.  tin.'  existcmc  oi  uliirli, 
-Ih'  ilniilitc<|  mil.  wa-'  kmiwii  to  iionc  oilier  Iml  Ikt 
fatluT.  Slu'  -1m.>,1  |,.r  what  ^iniK -1  hniir-.  li-tciiiii.^ 
t'l  iu'ar  >M?iu'  sMtitnl  imhratiiiL;"  ilinr  ilrjiartiirc.  hut 
they  appeared  in  he  in  im  hurry  to  return  \<<  their 
conlI)anion'^.  ,<'•  ehat'eil  tor  •-oine  time  at  the  luittT- 
im;\  then  rei'iiei.;  .n  it,  as  tlie  iiK'a  occnrreil  to  her. 
that  perhap"-  the--e  were  nut  o\erl\  kei'U  for  tlie  pru- 
jeet  in  liaml.auil  wrre  therel'.ire  nut  ilisplea-e'ltu  think 
ihat  pos.^il)l_\  ^hr  had  uiana^eil  to  e-^eajie  theni  anl 
.i^dwn  warniiii^-  of  the  intemled  assault.  l'os~.ihlv  the 
fear  that  --he  had,nii'^ht  lead  \"  the  ahandouiuent  of 
the  pr'ijrct.  lint  ^lir  was  soon  undeeei\eil,  Inr  a 
third  u'lw  i' lined  them  and  the  voice>  were  rai>ed  -,0 
that  she.  (her  Ikariuy  sharpened  hy  tlie  excitement), 
could  he.ar  the  carele^--  lauL;li  with  which  Simon, — for 
till-  new  comer  was  he. — receised  the  news  of  her 
disapiiearance. 

"Well,  she  ha-  duuhtle.s^  >t'iued  lier.-elf  about  the 
ca.  lie  soniewhert' :  hut  it  matters  little,  for  she  could 
not  pass  thn  )m;h  our  ■■■entries  at  the  fodt  <>f  the  ravine, 
t'l  nach  the  X'awode's  casile.  l-',\  er\  ihini,'  has  tieeu 
made  sale,"  audi  the  lau'^h  somideil  most  hard  and 
hrutal  te)  the  pour  maiden  so  sorely  distressed. 

.\s  tlie  \-oices  died  awa}'.  she  reached  out  Iut  hand 
to  ojH'U  the  secret  door,  but  could  nowhere  feci  any- 


An    I  li  roic    Failure. 


137 


thiii^',   uluridi   ti«  la>    \hi\<\.      lii   iiMuix    t'-"Ml>K''l  l>y 
tliis  she  suui;lu  to  \n\>\\  ii  i(  ir\'v;ir  1,  Imt  111  illi  solid 

resistance,  ami  tluii  ntolK  tiril  that  laeli  panel  of  the 
wall  was  llaiikvil  h\    heav\    pillar^,  uliieh  foniie.l  the 
sides  f)l  a   L^i'tliie  areh.   -iiriiiLMii^   I'rom  the  tlour  ami 
unitinj,'    at     the    eeilinL^:     tlu-    panil     re^teil     solidly 
a;;^ain>t  these  and  nui>t  he  oiieiieii  oiit\vardl\.  if  at  all. 
Afjain    she    exainintd    it    and    strove    to    tind    -oif.e 
method    of    opi'niiii,'    it:   hnt    the    MiioMth    hlank  wall 
resisted    her    ever>    effort.      MoM    ^kilndlv    had    tin- 
(luor  l)i-en   devised  and  the  secret    of  it    -lu'   did  ii"l 
possess.     She   l)ecaine    alarmed.      \\  iiat    was    >he    to 
do?     She  \\a>  no,\  a  pri-oiuT  most  secure,  and  liow 
to  in.akc  her  escape  she  knew  not.      .\t  first  her  feid- 
inj;'  uas  of  vexation  oni\,  Imt  i^radnally  there  dawned 
ni)on  her  a  realiz.it  i' m  of  the  awfnlness  of  the  sitna- 
ii.>n  -he  was  in.      Shtit  up  .all  .iloiu'  in  this  eave,  from 
uliieh  ei^ress  seemi'(l  next  to  iiii]!ossil>U',  a  crnel  ;ind 
lin.iL;erin,!.j  death  ini^ht  he  in  store  for  her.      'I'riie.  slu- 
init,dit  shont  and  call,  hnt  the  chances  ,,f  heini;  heai  d 
were  scant,  for  none  could  come  within  e.irshot,  ex- 
cept throni;h  the  room  slu'  h;id  ju'jt  (piitted  :  and  of 
that  there  was  now  little  i)rol)ahility,  unless  the  old 
i^vpsv  woman  caine  that   way,  and   she  was   >o  deaf 
that  there  was  hnt  small  chance  of  her  he.ariiiL;  even 
till.'  l')nilest  screams.      She  scamie(l  the  naturrd  walls 
upon    either    side    of   the    cavern's    month,    with    the 
desperate  thought  of  cliinbing  out  throut;^!!  the  shrubs, 
hut  a  survey  of  the  impenetrahle  growth  of  a  century, 
served  hut  to  deepen  her  despair. 

Poor  Izolda  retreated  to  the  farthest  corner  of  the 


M^^ 


138 


I 


/nlila. 


r;i\i-,  ;iii(l  111  utter  ;il)a!iiIoii,  wmM  lia\i-  ihiUi;  luT^rlf 
In  ilu'  li."ir;  Init  lu  r  !'■  "'i  >inkiii}j  sonic  projection 
slic  ^liiinl)lc(l  Iwruanl  aiiil  fill  a;,'ainst  wliat  she  soon 
rta!i/ii|  wirr  ^tniie  steps,  cut  out  of  the  very  linwels 
iii  tlu'  inMiiutaiii.  Here  then  was  a  ^Meaii  <<{  hope. 
Groi'Mii;  ahiuit  lu  r,  >lu'  l.h  a  \\;ill  ujnm  cither  --iile, 
and  brui.-.f(l  and  shaken  h\  lirr  fall  thoui;h  slie  was, 
eoininence<l  t<>  ascen<l  ;  ami  a^  ^he  did  so  tlie  walls 
still  slreti'hed  i)eyond  In  i  reach,  iipiui  liwili  .--ides, 
as  tile  steps  carrit'il  lur  uiiward.  Slowly  and 
caulitin^h  ;it  rir>t.  hiii  wiili  incri-asini,''  ODiitidence  ^he 
asceiideil.  ."-ilep  ;il'ler  step  slie  niuiinted,  and  di)ni.tj 
so,  hec.aiin'  nmscions  that  she  was  ever  turnini^  to 
the  left.  ;is  in  the  cuN  nf  ;i  wist  spir.al.  I'p  .and  nj), 
tuuil  she  w;is  sure  th.at  she  nnist  l>e  heyond  the 
houscioi),  and  stjH  tlure  was  iKJthin^  hut  the  cold 
wall  01  .ither  liand  and  llie  roin^Ii  ste]is  heneatli  her 
feet.  I'p  and  stih  upward  slie  toiled,  ninil  her  liinhs 
shodk  heuealh  lur.  ;ind  slic  was  f.ain  to  sit  down 
iipcjn  the  slejjs  for  rest  :  l)Ut  her  }j;reat  anxiety  fi)r!)ade 
tarryinj^.  and  again  she  ])re^sed  onward  and  upward 
now  scarce  able  to  dr.ai,'  lierseh"  froui  one  ledi^c  ti^  the 
otiier;  hut  still  she  jierserved  and  was  at  lentjth  re- 
warded 1)\-  a  faint  ijlininier  of  lii^ht  far  ahove  her 
liead.  Xow  she  lost  ii  in  the  heiid  of  the  stairway, 
and  asain  it  reappe.ared.  till  at  last  she  drac^ered  her- 
self, ntterlv  exhausted,  out  ujion  a  U'lk^e  of  rock,  away 
np  on  ih.e  mountain,  side  far  ahove  the  hitjhest  turret 
of  the  roof  below.  This  ledf^c  was  screened  from 
observation  hv  the  thick  q-rowth  of  underwood.  Init 
an  c.xccllcnl  outlook  was  secured  fur  miles  around, 


An    I  It  r>iii"    Pailurf. 


U9 


cxct'l't   !•'  t!u'  -.1  aitlua-t.  wliu'li   u ;  -   -hut    ntf  \<\    tlic 
towering   slmultUr  of  tlir   inwuiitaiu 

Izolila's  brain  was  in  a  whirl,  hut  >lu-  strovi'  l<> 
collect  her  tlioUL';hts  as  shr  lay  pautiiiL,^  I'mm  the  exer- 
tions of  Ikt  luii:  ani]  cht'h.-ult  clinili.  I'.y  ilraL;L;in,i^ 
herself  over  the  shoul'ler  of  the  hill,  ^ln  cuM  so.mi 
j^ain  a  pathwav.  which  wotiM  lea-l  h'T  to  the  road 
passinij;  the  X'avvodc's  castle:  Init  what  iroo'l  wouM 
that  he.  since  she  had  K  arneil  helow  froin  the  talk 
(if  Simon,  that  this  roa'l  was  watcheil?"  To  In-  sure, 
there  was  anotlur  way  of  reachin<j  the  ea'-ile.  hv  a 
(letoiir  through  the  woods  at  the  foot  of  tlu'  hill  to  the 
north.  I'Ut  this  wouM  take  several  hours  at  the  best, 
and  the  afternoou  was  already  drav.in.L:  to  a  elo^e, 
while  in  her  e\hau>tvd  condition  it  w.is  most  douht- 
ful  whether  she  woidd  he  able  to  acconii)lidi  the 
journev.  Ilcjwcvir.  attempt  it  '-he  must;  and  if  she 
failed  to  arrive  in  time,  shi>  wo\dd  at  least  be  c  mscions 
of  havinj;  done  her  utmost,  ami  could  hold  herself 
j:;uiltless  of  the  innocent  bloodshed. 

W'earilv  she  raiseil  herself  u]'.  and  commenced  to 
pre-s  her  way  u\)  to  the  top  of  the  ridt;e.  Arrived 
here  after  ^reat  exertion,  she  ])aused  to  rest  agaii 
and  to  scan  the  surroimdiiii;  landscai)e  with  ;  iew  to 
K  aruinj.;  just  where  the  peasants  had  betaken  them- 
selves to.  There  they  were,  just  below  where  she 
stood,  loun.L,nn,!.;  about  in  the  wood  thnniLdi  which  the 
rough  road  ran.  Shj  began  to  weigh  the  prospects 
of  being  able  to  slip  past  them  in  the  dusk,  and  was 
about  to  commcn.ce  her  descent  to  make  the  effort, 
when  a  movement  far  down  the  road  attracted  her 


ll^l 


ui 


^i 


* 


if 


140 


I/old;i. 


attcnlion,  an. I  Ikt  licart  uncc  more  sank  within  Iicr. 
TluTo,  at  ,-!  iMiint  ulurc  tlic  way  led  between  precip- 
ilons  rocks  on  eitlier  side,  she  descried  tliree 
watcluTs.  wlio  were  evidently  placed  to  frustrate  an\ 
attemi)t  at  warninj;.  Sadly  she  turned  aiid  l)e-an  to 
descend  upon  the  ojjposite  side,  hreatliin,!:;  a  ])ra>cr 
that  she  mi,<,dit  have  stren-th  to  persevere  and  that 
she  iiiiL^ht  not  he  too  late 

I'-ut  what  i>  that,  which  the  ra\s  of  tlie  declininLr 
sun  ,i;lint  upon,  away  off  there  to  the  left  upon  the 
northern  road?  She  stops  and  j^azes  ea^-erlv.  'Tis 
a  horseman,  she  is  sure.  Hut  is  he  friend  or  toe? 
I  is  probably  soiue  one  from  the  castle;  it  may  be 
the  \'ayvode,  himself,  and,  by  a  sui^reme  effort,  she 
may  be  able  to  intercejit  him  at  the  foot  (,>f  the  hill 
and  vvarn  him  of  th"  intended  attack.  .Ml  is  per- 
ha|)S  not  yet  lost.  Hut  now  the  rider  comes  into 
fuller  view,  while  the  bright  sunli'^ht  shines  fully  upon 
him,  so  that  even  at  tliat  threat  distance,  Izolda  is  able 
to  recooinze  the  one  person  most  hateful  to  her  in 
all  the  wide  world.— the  Spaniard,  Don  Cardeni(3  de 
Gaid. 

All  at  once  her  eaj^erness  vanishes.  In  the  excite- 
ment of  the  i)ast  two  hours,  she  had  entirely  forj^otteii 
him,  so  betii  was  she  <m  the  project  of  savin-  from 
dan,t,a^r  the  one  whom  she  believed  was  neces>ary 
to  the  happiness  of  her  hero.  Michael.  Strive  to  inter- 
cept him  she  could  not.  Rather  would  she  make 
effort  to  run  the  -aimtlet  of  tho.-e  sentries  in  the 
p:or,q:c  upon  the  souiheru  roa.l.  Ihu  whv  not]' 
Surely,  impressed  by  the  danger  to  his  friends,  the 


ill 


An  Heroic  Failure. 


141 


(.xrrtinns  she  had  niadr.  ami  great  risk  she  had  run 
t,,  warn  them,  he  Wduld  l)e  aslianied  -.f  liis  i)revi'ius 
(•(niduet  and  treat  lur  witli  all  e(iii>iderati.'n.  Hut 
liistiiictively  the  pure  ,U'i'''  l^"^'^'''  ^'^-'^  '^  \\nu\<\  iKil 
];■  so.  I'ossihl}  he  nii-ht  treat  her  stor\  with  >eMrn. 
and  inthienced  hy  tlie  Itjw  estimate  in  whicli  he  held 
liie  ix-asant  maidens.  wDuld  perhaps  l)e  base  ennu;di 
\<<  assiL,m  her  former  rehnif  to  his  advances,  to  a 
kuMwledi^e  of  Michaeks  ap])roach.  and  view  her  j.res- 
tut  \varnin<x  as  a  ruse  to  throw  herself  in  his  wav. 
(  )r  even  if  he  heeded  her  warnin.L;'.  he  would  at  least 
he  aware  of  her  wliereah'-uts.  anil  would  l.e  sure  to 
seek  her  nut  when  the  dauL^er  was  past,  and  ^nee  m 
the  power  of  sueh  a  conscienceless  wretch. — ( io<l  help 

k.er  ! 

Xo,      Let   the   wretcli    i;o  to  his   ddom:   and   as    I'lr 
the   other   inmates   of   the   casile.    the>    were   alter   all 
nothint;  to  lur.     Let  them  i)erish  with  him.     She  was 
beside  hersell    to  have  already    taken    so  nuich    pains 
in  fruhless  endeavors  to  rescue  them.     What  concern 
liad    she    in    the    lietrothed    of    the    youn.ij;    (,"omes    of 
Manjt?     Did   she   save  her.   he   would   jierhaps   think 
it   not  even  worth   while  to  thank   her.     She.   an  out- 
cast   peasant    ii'nl.    was   hut    as    the    d\ist    lieueath    hi-; 
fi'fl.     She  would  ^i>  back  .and  ]iroceed  '.o  her  fathers 
linuse   in   the    full    sjuht    of   tlie   ].e;isants.    and    assure 
them,  if  need  be.  that  she  was  in   fid!  svmpatliv  with 
their    enterprise.       Sm.all     Itlame    to    them,     in     duir 
desire  to  extiruiinate  and  brini^  to  an  end   the  ius<.l- 
encc  and  twaiiuv  <A  ^luh  as  this  Si)aui.ard. 

.\s    Izolda    luruet!    she    started.      What    was    that? 


J\ 


142 


Izolda. 


Had   someone  spoken  to  lu  r 

'in  livT  ear 


Tt  was  as  thou^^h  a 
"Creater  love 


SMii  v.)ice  liad  uiii.-pereil  ni  lier  ear:  -greater  love 
Iialh  n..  man  ilian  iliis,  thai  a  man  lay  down  hi;  life 
for  his  irieiKls."  WluTe  liad  she  hear<l  th(jse  words 
I)et:ire.-    All.  \  IS,     ."-^he  renuinhered  now.    A  strant,^' 

priest  had  onei,'  visited  the  villa,L,^e  cluirch  at  .Marot 

an  old  man;  nne  who  seemed  so  mnch  kin-Ier  and 
.i-'-entlir  than  I'ather  i'aul.  llf  had  sji-d^en  with  her 
as  he  iKis^ed  her  in  the  villa.-e  one  day,  and  on  the 
Smi.lav  in  the  elmreli  had  snokiMi  to  tlie  pecjple  (jf  the 
S'oodiK-ss  and  love  of  C.od,  and  had  repeated  these 
u^r.ls  m.,re  than  onee  in  his  talk.  \\  hat  did  it  mean? 
W'lnld  vhe  lay  <lown  her  liie  fur  Michael  Dol.ozy? 
Why  not.-  She  conld  he  happy  in  doinj^  so,  while 
there  would  Ik-  no  nmre  ha])piness  for  Iter  to  live  dM 
she  make  no  further  effnrt  to  avert  this  friif.itf'.il 
calamity.  Wi.  darc^-  she  face  the  almost  certaintv  of 
dishonor  which  would  he  hers  did  she  venture  within 
the   reach    of   this    vile   Spaniard'     The   j^ood    priest 


A   that:"      Perl 


The   j;o()d    p 

erhaps    not  :   a!id 

that    lu 


surely   wouM   not   couns^'i 

yn,  s..nieh.)w  she  felt  almost  a  certainty  that  he 
Would  hid  lur  persextre  in  her  delennination  to  ;,nve 
the  warnin-^r  if  she  could.  Tlu'  pn.ir  ,L;irI  was  in  a!i 
a-ony  of  despair,  an.d  siMod  for  some  momeius  with 
liands  clasped  and  set  white  face,  vJiile  the  territic 
stru.uije  raided  within.  At  len,-th  slu-  L,Msped  he- 
tween  lur  drawn  lins. 


"Vi 


tween  lur  drawn  lips. 

I'or    .Mich;ul    hohozx,   f,,r  ,nv   sweet 

1     ..<"...,   1:1.  •       ,  -I-.       ,  ,,  , 

in.LT  with 

O 


sake 


,-.i.vv  >  will  suffer  e\ru  di  hoii,,r  iisdi!"  addiuLT  ' 
n  irroan  as  she  ru-hed  down  the  UMuntain  side. 
Cud  help  niel" 


u'e  s 


An    Heroic    Failure. 


H3 


Down,  down,  slu'  stnnihU-d  ovrr  tb.o  roUL^h  nioini- 
tain  side,  pusliintj  rcsokuclx-  thronL;li  thick  nndcr- 
luusli,  wliicli  tore'  lier  elotlies  and  bruised  and - 
-eratrlud  lier  face  and  nec'c,  as  slie  strove  to  l)rush 
it  aside.  At  some  ])oints  the  descent  was  so  stcej) 
thru  s!'e  lia  1  the  utmost  (hfficuUy  to  kee])  her  feet, 
while  luT  eliest  seemed  ready  to  hurst  and  her  brcatli 
came  in  i;asns,  so  violent  were  her  exertions.  Yet, 
she  fell  she  dared  not  stop.  While  slie  had  hesitated 
.-'t  the  brow  of  the  hill,  the  hor^^eman  had  made  sul)- 
stantial  pro.i^ress  alon^r  the  road,  and  if  she  were  to 
intercei)t  him  before  he  had  pas-ed  throu.L;h  the  w^.d 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  she  mu.-t  lose  not  a  moment. 
(  )n  and.  on  pressed  the  brave  L;irl,  lhon,L,di  lur  liml)s 
trembled  beneath  her  from  weakness,  and  her  h 'ad 
seemed  to  siiin  round  upon  her  slioulders.  Oh!  She 
viiist  not  ^ive  in  to  her  weariness;  site  must  ])erseverc 
and  deliver  her  messa<::e  of  warning,  even  if  it  l)e  with 
lur  last  J^as]).  Her  foot  strikes  a  root,  and  she 
sluinl)les  and  falls  heavily,  yet  heeds  not  the  cruel 
bruises  received  l)Ut  strut,'i,des  to  her  feet,  concerned 
onlv  at  the  sliii^lu  delay  to  her  progress,  and  ai;;iin 
luslu'S  onwar<l.  .\t  last  she  is  at  the  foot  of  tlio 
dc-cent  ;  but  she  has  still  some  half  mile  or  more  to 
traverse  before  she  reaches  the  roadway,  and  tlie 
underbrusli  is  liere  even  thicker  and  the  p^ronnd  more 
rouL^'h  than  on  the  hillside;  and  now  is  added  to  lur 
anxielv  lest  s!ie  be  ioo  late,  a  fear  that  tlie  pe;is;ints 
in;i\  lie  watching;  this  ro;id  .also.  Vet  still  she  L^oes 
bravelv  for\\;ird,  determined  to  .accomplish  her  errand 
at  whatever  cost.     Her  Ijreath  now  comes  in  deep 


m 


T44  Izolda. 

S(il>s,  uliich  thiwitiii  l<i  ch>>kf  luT,  am!  slu-  alnmst 
ri-rls  as  she  stru;^-,i;l>->  almv.  I't.ura.i;-!-',  i<>r  a  few 
numu'iits  luiimT.  SIk'  ina\  _\ct  \>c  in  linu'.  >  es,  ■-lie 
can  iiuw  hear  the  liM(,i-l,eats  1  .f  ilu-  hnr~e  upon  the 
rua<l\vav;  and.  0!i.  Jmv  !  They  are  stiU  /'  lur  lift. 
t  hie  iiioro  supreme  effuri  to  drai,^  her  iremhhni;-  hnihs 


:';;-ter  over  the  q^rotitul,  ami  tlie  c/ial  will  be  reached. 

i'.i'.l   wiiat   after?     A  pant;  of  bitterest  ai  oiiy   shocits 

ihnm-h  that  l)ra\e  pure  soul.  \  it  >-he  falters  not.  l>ut 

slru,<;t,des     steadil\-     onward.     The     hoofdieats     ;ire 
'  '      .  -  .  1    ..     1.     .. -u  1.  .  ..^  .1,..  -....,i_ 


hut  >he  will  he  at  the  roail 


.ahuost  ahrea-t  of  her  now  1 

sidi  '  1  another  niiiuite.  I'nwar)  for  a  moment,  she 
Mmiil)les  airain  ami  falls  headloni^'-  into  a  thorn  luish. 
Xothin.t;  daunled,  she  assa\  ^  to  rise,  hut  cannot,  ller 
rlothins;  is  entanyUil  anioni:;  the  thorns,  ami  impede- 
lur  ni(->vements.  ,\;^Min  and  a;4ain.  she  m.akes  the 
effort,  hut  iuisucce---fully.  (  )h,  horrors!  Can  she  he 
so  near,  and  yet  fail?  She  can  hear  the  Spaniard 
p;i-sin.i;,  alino^l  beside  her.  In  a.iother  moment  he 
will  be  Ljone  and  it  will  l)e  too  late.  Xo.  no!  It  must 
not  he!  She  sen  ains.  lUit  her  breath  is  so  spent, 
ihat  onlv  a  low  tjurijliui;  whisper  in  her  throat,  which 
-eems  to  taunt  and  mock  her  heljjlessness,  rewards 
lur  effort,  while  alreadv  the  hoof-beats  ujion  the 
road  sound  fainter.  With  a  last  desiiairiniL;-  et'fort 
-he  wrenches  her-elf  free,  leavint;  half  her  clothin.LT 
amon<;  the  tlioni'; ;  ;iiid  all  nnniindful  of  the  fact  that 
-he  is  now  alnuwt  covered  with  bh  ediiu:  -cratches, 
from  head  to  foot,  reeN.  --he  knows  not  how,  to  the 
ro;idwav.    whe'-e    -lit    sinks    a-.un    to   the    earth    and 


ro;idwa\'.    \\  he'e 

loses  all  1.  oii-t.  u  lU-ness 


CHArTF.R   XII. 


A    1-c  iK  rr\  \  ri';    m  i:kti\(', 


'lu'  C'l  )iiu's  of  T<.inrs  hail  r<. 


ccivcil  liis  \  Miiiuf  artist 


;U(.>t   iiiDSt   cordially,  urll  jilcasiM]  ti>  Irani   tliat   tli 


C  DllK'S   () 


f  Mar.  It 


was  < it  1  >iu-  iiiMiil  \\  1 


ih  h 


mi.  a^  ti  I  tin 


lUC 


cssits  of  fnistratiiij,^  tlic  jir 


<  ipi  i>ri|  cr'.i^adr  i 


I  at  all 


JM  l^sli) 


\v  :  liiit 


Ik-   a  as  111  it  so  wx 


11  iiKa^cil  1  111  1 


1,'ariiiii', 


that   hv  was  also  Ik'iU  on  a  mission  to  tlu'  \'a\\'o(lc 

of   Transylvania,    and    ond 

from    iirocHcdiiiL;".      Ihit     Micharl    had    iiromi^cd    lii- 


lavorrd    to    di>-uadc 


h 


im 


K-r   ami   u 


fatl 

without   his  hi 


as    viTN    loath  t 


(idliu 


o   aliaiKloii   tiu'    lonnu-v 


o\\c\\r,  1k'  cou'd  not   rrlii- 


to  acci'i) 


t  tlu'  snijij'L'stion  tliat    lu'  n 


m.ain  a  'nn-st   at 


nu-va'-    until    after    the    a-sci:.i,!in'''    of    tho    Dirt. 


diicl 


1  was  to  ik'v'it 


tl 


tie  tnc  iiiK'siii  111  o 


f  th. 


erusade 


It 


tlie  jirojcct  was  upheld,  then  perhaps  it  mi;_;ht  he 
advisable  for  him  to  ])roeeed  ;  hut,  if  on  the  (.iiilrary, 
the    Arehhislion's    schemes    were    foileil,    then    tliert' 


d  lie   r.othin<r 


"anu'ii  ii\ 


d\ini,'  S/a|)o!yai  a  jirc 


text   tor  mterl 


eriii!.^  further  in  the  affairs  of  tlu 


;mt 


doiii,  'Idle  I  )iel  had  heeii  held,  and  after  muoh  stormy 
debate  and  main  hitter  words,  the  i>arty  of  Bakacs 
liad  heen  triumphant.  \et  still  the  dmu'S  eontrived 
upon  oiii'  i)rete\t  and  aiiotlvjr  to  delae  his  quest's 
depai'tiiie  ironi  da\    to  da\.      .\l   len!;tl'.  ho\\(.'\iT,  he 


10 


Hi 


ill 


146 


I  /.oKia. 


wris  liiiii^elf  suiiiinoiu'l  liurricilly  to  Tlnda,  ami 
Micli.-Kl  [nok  advanta-r  <>i  tlic  (Jiipurtuiiit)  In  take 
Ins  K'a\r,  and  kucv  nvrv  prnccriUd  upon  his  joiinu'v. 
.\>  1k'  wriit  I'Miward  with  his  htllc  cavalcade, — iKr 
in  thiisc  hiwlcss  limes,  when  each  ]'ctly  noble  was 
uiint  til  lew  lull  upiin  every  tra\eler  uIik  was  wilh- 
(int  the  means  of  disjunin;^'  his  exactions,  it  was  imt 
considereil  safe  to  travel  tor  any  distance,  excei't  in 
companies, — he  could  not  tail  to  notice  tliat  the  fields 
wtTO  all  hut  <U'-~erted  hy  th.e  ]Ka-^anlry,  and  he  smiled 
i;-rimlv  to  himself  as  he  rellected  that  the  crnsade  was 
e\idi'ntlv  ])rosprrin,L;-  well  as  re;^;tn!s  recruits  at  the 
expense  of  the  ta-k-masters  of  the  jieople,  and  ho 
could  not  help  luil  feel  a  secret  satisfaction  at  the 
f;ict.  Xevertlule-s  he  si-he(l,  as  he  thought  how 
mi-eral)Ie  indeed  must  he  the  condition  of  these  jioor 
people,  when  lhe\-  were  so  willing  to  risk  ihe  fortunes 
of  a  campaign  agaiust  the  fierce  Titrks,  in  order  to 
escape  for  a  time  from  the  exactions  (.)f  their  rulers; 
,in<l  dark  f  'rhoi lings  jiressedi  down  ui)on  his  soul  as  lie 
souglit  to  find  some  ra\-  of  hope  for  the  welfare  of  his 
heloved  Ilungarv  piercing  the  cluids  which  seemed 
now  to  settle  in  darkest  gloom  over  the  future  out- 
look. What  hope  indieed  could  he  found  w  liere  on 
"ue  side  was  naught  l«ut  grasping,  selfish  greed  and 
op]iression,  .aiicl  on  the  otlur  nothing  Inn  Mank  ai;d 
sullen  desi'air-  At  length  lie  is  drawing  nigh  to  his 
jotiriu-v's  end,  Imt  .-ipiHars  hx  no  me;ins  elated  at  the 
pros])ect,  as  might  ha\e  luen  exi>ected  of  one.  who 
was  coitu;  ,-1,  the  ;ilre.id\  h.ilf-ac^-epted  suitor  o:  the 
daughter  of  the  mo.~t  powerful  noble  in  the  khigdom 


A    Foriunate    Meeting.  147 


over  v.liic'i  riaili>laus  lu'I  I  -v.aw      li'  tlu-  tnuli  wcri. 


known,  lu'  \va>~  lliinl- 


<iii^-  111  in-  cf  till'  |>nil)al)Ir  nu'ft- 


injr  willi   (.'anlcnii)  do  ('.aul.  \\\\n  1k'   k 


lU'w   liaa  pri.'- 


.'i'  him  Imlu  r,  than  ■  ;f  ilu'  \'a\  \ .  i.K'"s  ilau-litcr,  w 


as  \i'i,  lu'  was  1)\  no  inran>  an  ar'lrnt  I'i\ 


cr. 


'lu\    iia\v.'  niadr  llic  last   halt   mi'  ilu'   junrnrx-  and 

;ht 


\^■    castU'    iTc   in: 


:iw   now    ]uas-~ni,i;   1  in   tu   reach   l! 

<ha!I  tall.      Already  tlu'  shaius  ,,\  i-wniiiL^  are  draw 

in;.,--  in  wlnlc  tlux-  Iia\r  ^lill  sunie  niilc^  Ici  v-(i\cr,  am 


till'  ni^ht 


;i\i's  nri  inn>e  1 1 


f  hiiii'^-  Mack  and 


ni.  H  Ill- 


less.  tlu'\-  liave  (|nicki.'iu-d  the  pace  of  tluir  uwirii 

Ixasts   in   order  t^ 

when   Michael,  who  is  consideraMv  in  ad.vance  of  iii- 


>   escajie   darkiK<s  upoii   tlu'   ro;r 


full 


o\ver<.  i>  startli  d  t 


1 1  see  a  yoiniL;'  i;irl,  rayi 


ed  ;in. 


Meedini;-  from  many  wcjinids,  eiiTcr'^e  from  the  wood 
Iieside  the  roadua\.  and  fall  almost  beneath  the  hoof^ 
"t  hi-  horse,  which  lie.  with  a  ^iroiiL;-  rein.  \m]\>  hack 
upon  his  hautiches.  then  (iiiielsl}-  nli,L;his  and  kneels 
he'-i.le  ihf  prostrate  i'l-iire.  The  face  i-.  all  torn  and 
I'leediiiLC  from  many  a  cnt,  scratch  and,  cruel  hlow 
the    forest.      !  le    scar 


receiwd    m 


ci.'i\-   tinnks   to   (h- 


Cover  the  ideiuitv  of  the  one  thus  sad.lv  liruised  ;  hut 


there   IS   SOI 


uethinLT  f; 


iiuiliar  winch  arrests  his  altiii- 


tion,    and    can:- 


irn 


liim  to  lo(d<  niore  closelv  at  the 
1  Count ef.aiKH'.  and  a  lo\',-  i  Nclamation  tsea])es 
him  as  he  recos^ni/i's  it  as  th.at  of  Izolda  I  )i'i/sa.  I  low 
dill  s!ie  Come  here,  and  in  thi-  sorr-  i)liL;ht  ?  \\  li.at 
does  it  ,-''1  mean"'  are  the  (jue;-tions  ulu'cli  ari^e  in 
his  mind;  hut  lie  is  Iiu-\-  the  while  in  stri\in--  to 
revi\-e  her.  ta.kinu'  from  his  saddile-haL;-  a  small  tla-k 


iif  wine  anil  iionrin;. 


Irops   hetweeii   her   li[i 


Ml 


i 


I'ur  a  few  niiiuiti's  liis  tlTorts  ajJiirar  uiiavailiiiL;,  uliiU' 

tlio  rcniaindcr  t  >l  llie  party  cluster  almut  and  ask  each 

liis  iu'i\L;lil)'ir.  what  can  In'  the  cause  nf  tlie  niaiiK'n's 

wueliil     plii^ht.      In     time,     liowever.     responding;'     to 

Micliael's  ministrations,  a  ^^hmmer  of  consciousness 

returns  and  lier  li]'^  lie.i^^in  to  move.      Ik-udin;;  low  to 

catcli  the  words,  lie  hears  a  name  sjioken,  as  it   aj)- 

jiears  to  him.  in  io\  fid  ,-iccents,  and  that  name  w;is, — 

"Sciu))'  (Ic   Can!."     Michael   started    as    if    stnuLj   ami 

had   almost    cast    the   helpless    form    from    him,   as  a 

dark   suspicion   crcjssed   his   mind.      Could   it   In-   that 

this   ])easant   ,i,MrI,  whom   he   had  thoiii^dit    worthv   to 

.act   as  model  for  his   MaL,nla!ene,  had  reallx'  ln'come 

enamoured    of   that    i;a\'    courtier   and    ha\e    accom- 

])anied  liim  hillier  when   he  left    Marot  ?      lUil   if  so, 

wliy  was  she  lure  in  this  condition?     Was  it  ])ossi- 

Me    that    the    \illain    had    cruelly    misused    and    then 

ahand'ined  her  thus?     This  was  ])erhaps  more  than 

likely.      She   has   o])ened   her   eyes   now,   and    in    wild 

terror  looks   from   f.acv'   to   faci',  while   she   stru^';;les 

to  rei;ain  her  feet.     .\nd  now,    her   fearful  ,^aze  rests 

nice  more  upon  Michaels  ;ind  a  smile  fif  i-ecoj;nition 

ireaks  over  her,  while  siie  utters  a  little  cry  of  jov, 

;ind  nestles  closer  to  hii  i;  then,  lookin,:.;  down  upon 

Iter  half  naked  hody  sh  ;   draws   away   amid  blushes 

;ind    strives    to    L;-;ither    the    ra,i;i,H'd    reiunants    of   her 
i.-,.^-.    .„,,,-..  .-i,....!,-   .,1 ♦    I,.,,-       i>.,.    ; ,.,.    „ 


and  strives  to  L;-;ither  the  ra,i;i,H'd  reiunants  of  her 
dress  more  closely  .ahout  her.  Hut  in  a  moment  a 
look  of  horror  returns  to  her  countenance  and  slie 
cries    in   wild    alarm. 

"The  castle,  the  castle.  Micliael :  haste  ere  it  he  loo 
late;"  and  treniMiny  with  excitenienl  and  weakness, 


A    Forruiiiirc    Meeting. 


'49 


<iil  fallni  a,i::ain  Imt   tor  his  supporting  arm 


,!iik 


-■lie  motions  him  uitli  inij)loriiij^  f:^t'Sturfs  to  mount 
au'l  a\va\-. 

"Calm  thyself.  Izolila.    Xaiic;lit  can  harm  thee  liero. 
W  hat  of  tho  castle?" 


The  castle  !     Tin 


astir 


she  ac^am  cries. 


•T 


IS     >mioii 


C 


'P 


Ih 


ami    his    peasant- 


•-trive  to  take  it  to-niLrht  and  kill  all  while  thev  sleeii! 


was  now 


Michael's  turn  to  he 


come  aiarnit 


ami 


at^erly   (|uestinne<l   her. 

.Ma?^ 


What 


"What  mean  y:.;i,  fziM  la."      tell  me  f|uu-klv. 
is  this  you  are  sayiiii;"-" 

She.  poor  child,  weejiimj  for  very  ,c:ladnes>  at  fiiid- 
iiic:  at  last  a  strong  true  arm  to  lean  u]">oii,  tells  the 
whole  story  as  best  she  can  between  her  sobs  :  and 
Michael,  as  he  listens,  thoup^li  startled  at  the  intended 
treachery  of  tlie  peasants  and  filled  with  anxiety  for 
the  safety  of  the  castle's  inmates,  yet  feels  a  lishtenin!:;^ 
of  a  weii,dit  ujion  his  heart  the  purport  of  which  ho 
hardlv  knows.  He  tarries  no  lonc^er  to  question 
further,  but  spriiiq;in_tr  to  the  saddle,  he  takes  the 
shriiiKin.ry  maid  before  him  u]>on  liis  horse  and  ,£;iving 
the  word  to  proceed,  pushes  on  at  topmost  speed. 


m 


I  S'O 


I/olJa 


rrf  xpTF.K  xiir. 


r"i;i:\\  \N\),i)   wi)  I'l iKj..\KMi;n. 


Du>k  lias  [M'vcn  j)lar.'  to  darkness  and  tlio  dav  I'.as 
tm'r.i:<'l  iiiiM  ni-lii, -i  ,niu  r  in  X\w  <]vv\i  rvccs--.  >  <,\ 
llif  fon-st  and  ui  llic  \allry^.  later  in  tlu'  oiirii  and 
al'out  till'  niraiiitain  t'pj,>,-  until  at  Kmi,l;i1i  the  mtir'^ 
laiKlsoapf  is  cm  (.].  .j.rd  in  tlic  i  nif  snuilire  pall  i.f 
MackiU's-.  uliiidi  imw  appear^  t-.  lian-  '<\vv  \]\v  rarlli, 
while  a  miIchim  silciiee  hnimls  dvcr  the  va-t  and  iin- 
peiu'tralile  \eil  I't  Mack  imthiiiL^ness,  cxtendin--  in 
v'veiy  directiiin  I'mni  the  liiL,di  hill.  nfMiii  wIiiLdi  -lands 
the  pri>tid  castle  lA  the  ruler  <>\  adl  these  niMtnilain 
fastnesM's  and  winidid  vales  ,,\  Transvlvania.  The 
castle  it-ell'  is  urapi>ed  in  darkness,  and  is  ntterlv 
swallowed  np  in  the  Mack  vuiil  except  to  one  stand- 
in^- within  arm's  lcii;_;tli  of  tlu'  vast  pile,  when  it  looms 
np  in  shadowy  shapelessness  like  a  ])hantom  of  the 
nit^lit,  to  he  dispelled  at  the  tlrst  i)eep  ot'  dawn,  'idie 
whole  surronndiiiL;-  land  seems  wrapped  in  natnre's 
sweet  imitation  ol"  death,  as  indeed  one  wonld  ex])ect 
to  he  the  case.  I'or  now  the  midniL;ht  hour  is  f.ast  ap- 
proachini:;.  I'.ut  were  that  Mack  j.all  to  he  snddienlv 
lifted,  or  were  we  endoweil  v.ith  feline  siq-ht,  a  -tart- 
lini:,'-  -peciaelc  would  iinn't  our  fjaxe. 

At  the  base  of  the  hill,  a  score  or  more  of  siia<lowv 


Forewarned   and    I'Drcanncd. 


'5' 


fi.L^urcs  have  d  >iiL,'rci;ati  d,  wlnoc  miinlnTs  are  cm- 
staiitly  adik'd  t'l  liy  a  cuiilinual  >trcani  i<\  ntlur 
sliadiiuy  forms,  uhicli  silently  ajiproacli  alun^  tli  ■ 
r'Kid  IradinL,'  In  the  ea^tk'.  tliat  lure  fiTlcrjJcs  iVuni 
llie  fiirr-l,  until  tlie  ^ciiri-  tii-i  noiioi-o  l\a-  hocii  C|iia(l- 
rui)K'iI  tlniee  (Alt.  \\  l"i  are  tlie-e,  and  whence  conie 
they  in  -~ueh  si)eetra!  manner''  Are  they  some  forest 
drin<in<,  i;atlierin;4-  thii--  uluii  all  human  eyes  are 
el'iM_',|,  tn  iiiilul^^'e  in  Mime  mxstrri.iu--  ->\l\an  liles, 
suel:  as  tnortal  may  ne'er  lulu  iM  and  li\  e.  c,;-  ar.  they 
shades  of  dcparinl  MaL;\ar  livr'U's  luMn^ht  hither 
h.  s,,nie  erut  1  dcerrr  of  fate,  to  enaet  unee  nion-  the 
scenes  of  lilmiil  and  \ic'lenee,  in  wliieli  ihrit  spirits 
were  wrenehed  from  tlu-ir  nior'al  fr.'.mes  in  -.nne 
li\Lronc  ai^e .'  'I'lu'  latter  wmM  seem  to  ap]'roaeh 
the  truth,  since  when  our  eyes  have  become  more 
accustomed  to  the  darkite--.  we  can  note  that  each 
carries  a  weapon  of  some  description,  the  variety  of 
which  woidd  snjjL^e^t  ac(|naititance  with  almost  everv 
feneration  since  the  followers  of  the  first  Arjiad 
came  westward  to  jiosscss  the  land.  (dnks.  l)ows, 
sjiears  of  variotis  atid  fantastic  desi<::;n.  swords,  da^^- 
,C^ers  and  even  scythes,  while  liere  and  there  a  halberd 
is  to  lie  seen,  and  two  or  three  are  the  proud  possess- 
ors of  arcpiehnses. 

Stealthily  the  motley  collection  move  up  the  slope, 
until  tii;.'y  reach  the  ed,<^e  of  the  deep  moat  surromid- 
ini;  the  castle.  Ileie  perforce  a  halt  is  made:  hut 
while  the  main  1)(-)dv  I"  M  their  i^round,  two  nr  three 
mo\,,.  c  lutiousl)-  aioni^  the  e-  ■  aiiii  ])eer  anxiouslv 
across  llie  chasm.     If  they  had  e:;pected  the  draw- 


1] 


m 


'5- 


1  /Duia. 


hriik'.c  til  I'c  iliiwti,  tlir\  ;irc  iIi~appointc<l.  ,t^  i'  's 
•  Irawii  lii-Ii  m  tlu'  air  ait'l  all  appears  fa'-t  aivl  scciirc 
as  sli.aiM  lif  in  a  ucl!  rf^iilalt  .1  I'drtrcs--.  Tlirv  re- 
turn l.>  tile  main  !mm|\,  .nul  a  uhi-]ii'rril  CMn-iiliat  h  m 
takes  place.  I  lien  in  a  ni.  mi  lent  .  ^r  t\M  i,  i  ai.-  s,  |.arali  s 
liiinselt  truiii  tile  rest  an'i  nmves  elnsi-  ti,  the  edt^e 
"I  til''  innat,  v.  here  lie  ilrnps  ti>  tlu-  i^TMnml  ami 
I'rawN  s|i)u!y  al'>iu'  until  ilireet!\-  njipiisitt  tl-.e  l>ar- 
l>ican.  In  a  iru  inuit  a  liar-li  s.iniKl  the  lir-t  iin- 
snpiire-.^,',]  ulneh  In-  I>rMken  the  -lillne--  f  >r  the 
la-t  honr.- break-  T  rih  with  startling:  eleaniess.  ;in,l 
we  are  iimu  -ati-lie  I  that  these  are  iri.leeil  spirits  iVoin 
the  inther  unrl.I.  s, ,  rieiidish  is  the  kni'^'nier  uliicli 
}.;reets  (inr  ears.  \m\v  it  is  repeate'i  ami  we  arc 
reaily  tu  aekiK  iw  Kil^e  that  mir  tensionvl  iier\es  lia\'o 
made  sji.irt  i<\  its,  f,  ,r  we  rec(>t,niize  tiie  "ilti.  llti" 
of  a  tree  i>\v\  wliieli  nmst  liave  roameii  fr'tin  tiie  t'ur- 
t'st  to  s.inie  turret  ni"  the  castle,  tliemi^h  a  tuemient 
since  u e  wonM  iiave  sworn  that  the  seeinin';-  laiiirliter 
pniceeiled  I'min  t!ie  spot  where  llie  siiectra!  tiLriire 
liad  jiist  (lisa])i)are(l,  'l"he  silence  whicli  now  I'ollows 
for  a  tew  seconds  is  painful,  while  in  tliat  siK'tit  hancj 
.all  t'ars  set'iii  strained  to  catch  some  response  to  that 
Iiidi<ins  call:  luit  none  is  heard  until  a.L^ain  that  start- 
ling  laiiLrhter   breaks    forth. 

Xow  indeed  a  response  is  heard,  hut  of  a  character 
vastlv  different  from  the  expectations  of  these  s])ec- 
tral  raiders.  Iiiste.ad  of  the  creakim,--  of  the  loweriu'.; 
(Irawhrid.tje.  or  sii,Mird  from  the  traitor  witfiin.  a 
nn'i^htv-  tlmnder  l-re.nks  forth  from  the  battlements 
of  the  fortress,  and  t<>ni,ntes  of  flatne  holcli  forth  from 


Forcwarmd   and    I-orcaniutl. 


'5.? 


its  .lr;i  K  \\;i!I-.  w  liilc  ;i  (!(;i.ll\  liail  ■'!'  1  Millet  -  ffi  mi  Imrsc 
|>i-li)|  .iiiil  ai  i|ii('l'ii-c,  liiilts  fiMin  ciM,-  l)ii\\^  anil 
iitlicr  iiii^-iU-s  (([iialh  a^  lU'sinuM  ivr,  tn'^cili-r  with 
a  liall  IfMin  the  small  laiiiiiiii  n.Dimlr'l  upon  ilic  |-(im|' 
(it  the  kt'O]!.  i>liiii^h  iiit'i  tin-  rank-  "f  tlu-  luTftDlorv- 
siU'iit  figures,  whn  are  in  a  iniinutit  traiisi'i  irnicd  into 
a  frcivicil  iimIi  i>t'  Iio'^linL,''  iK'nmns,  uhn  laisli  shrick- 
iit;:  anil  cnrsiiiLT.  ina'lly  d  nv  n  tlu'  sti'Cl>  acrli\'ity,  ImI- 
1'  'W  I'l  h\  a  siu'i  inM  shnw  i  r  i  if  nii-siKs  a-  tu  rcc  as  tlf 
t'lr-t .  !>''■  which  is.  hi  i'.V('\i.t.  ninfr  harniK  s,,  >;iiuT  they 
ll\  1 1\  (T  the  lu-ails  I  if  tlu-  fui^itivrs,  ulii  >  c  nitiniic  tluir 
ilisofilrrlv  ami  frantic  tli'^lit  uitli'mt  cluTk  until  the 
slu-lttT  I  if  llic  fiift'st  is  aL;riin  rcachril  :  auil  In  to  csfii. 
they  utTc  rallifil  iniK  after  iinich  ]irrsirisii  m  aii'l 
n'lin-  thrcatcnin'^s  li\  tlio  s\\  iiK'lu'nl  am!  :  ininii  l.'"s'  i]>, 
will  I  imlcnl.  truth  ci  niipcls  us  tn  rcla.tf,  had  U"t  l)i.-cii 
h\  aiiv  tucaiis  the  rcaruinst  <>{  the  tleriir^'-  thrDtiL^. 
The  iiiajwrity  were  fur  an  inline  liate  uturn  to  their 
Iii.nies  aiiil  the  ahainloiimeiit  of  all  opcr'.' ions  aj,''"'nst 
the  iiMhK's. 

"All  is  lost!  We  are  hetrayed  !"  tliey  cried.  "Tlu' 
traitor,  deor^e.  instead  of  lowerin;^:  for  us  the  ilraw- 
bridsa^e  hatli  detiounceil  ns  to  tlu'  X'ayvode.  and  he 
\mI1  visit  ti-rri])le  veiiL^eanci'  u])on  us.  Let  us  submit 
V.  liiie  there  is  yet  time,  and  accejit  with  what  i^^raee 
we  may  the  inmishnu'iit  he  inlliots.  lest  we  sj)ee(lily 
come  to  i^reater  evil  at  his  hands." 

"\ot  so.  Xot  so,"  say  the  leaders,  "''rrue.  we 
have  been  betrrned.  and  the  one  m  whom  we  jnit 
such  confidence  has  faileil  us,  sii  th.it  we  arc  ^ow 
(liscomfitcil,  bill  notliing  can  be  gained  and  all  will 


I 


|.i 


v  I 

'HI 


'54 


I/(.ld;i. 


1)(,'  Idsl  if  \v  now  n.'tuni  to  our  lupines.  We  have 
i!ipul>tK>>  all  ln'cn  lU'iioUDced  to  the  \  ayvoiK",  ami 
he  will  of  a  >urrt\  requite  u-  in  full  measure,  ean  he 
i\ii  so,  anil  uotliin,!;'  short  of  our  lives  wouM  satis'y 
him.  Then  win  lir.ieilv  ]ilae(.-  oiu'  neeks  in  the  noose? 
Rather  let  us  still  ]air<ue  our  plans,  inui!  streniythene'l 
jiv  vietorv.  we  -.hah  prove  stich  a  menace  to  him  an.l 
ollur  iioMes  th.at  ihe_\  will  ghelly  give  us  the  rights 
anil  fri  e'!c  nu  wo  ihuiand." 

The  wretelieil  p.-asants,  deceive. 1  by  those  sperious 
.'ir'j,iuinnt-,  -topped  not  to  nlleet  that  their  leadiTs 
()id\  wtre  known  to  their  accomplice  within  the 
ea-lle,  and  o;il\  lluw  could  lun  e  heen  endangered  ii>' 
the  ireacherx  of  this  man,  who — if  they  had  htit 
known  it — even  thei  v  cold  in  death  at  thr  h  'ttoin 
(if  the  nio.-it,  stahhed  lo  the  heart  hy  the  hand  of  the 
\'avvoilc  him-elf  and  his  corp--e  rown  thus  uncere- 
monion>l\'  for'h.  I'.iU  such  -eems  e\er  tl!e  way  m 
wh.ich  Jiien,  rendered  desjierate  hy  real  or  fancied 
wrongs,  and  in  the  vain  delusion  that  they  will  thus 
speedilv  redress  such  wrop.gs,  are  Kd  into  tln'  worst 
excesses  1)\'  those  who  are  thems(,d\ xs  dehid.ed.  or  as 
too  often  ha]ipens,  ha\e  other  ends  to  gain  and  use 
their  .nisgu'ded  fellows  as  pnp'iets  to  servo  them, 
So,  after  an  hour's  jiorsuasion  and  argument,  the 
hand  of  iH,i>arits,  sa\-e  for  a  few  stragglers,  have 
I'uce  inon.'  hn  n  marsh.allrd  iiUo  rti  le  order,  and  with 
the  tiiiA  swiiuhfrd  at  tln'ir  head,  make  a  detour 
aliout  the  unattainable  ca-lle  and  ])U-.h  their  way  to 
the  e.-,si  w  ,!rd.  Such  good  m,ircher>  are  they  that  the 
intrn-r  darkne--s  i.>  \  et  nnhroken  h\  anv  hint  of  dawn. 


li 


SJ 


Forewarned   ami    hOrearnictl. 


'55 


\\'lu'n  tlu'v  h;i\i'  i)Ut  :i  di  ■;:(.■  ii  niik'S  liclwccn  tl;e:n  a:iil 
the  soi'iie  of  tlii.ir  first  alteiiijit  ami  approach  the 
m'i^lil)orlioo(l  oi  another  cattle,  wh.ieh  is  oecupii  >i  l>y 
a  nohh'  \\lios(.'  e\."etioiis  ami  enu'ltii--;  ha\e  iiiaue  hi> 
name  detested  hy  the  jn'oplc  {■<]■  niiU'S  arouml. 

Dense  darknes<  has,  in  llu'  nei,'-,diliorhoo,l  of  the 
\'ay\odf's  eastU'.  onee  more  settled  upon  all  olijcets 
.•'.nd  hidden  them  from  \ii.'\v  :  a  darkness  more  j^ro- 
foiini!  1)\  contrast  to  the  visid  !iriL,dit!u -^,  which  had 
for  the  mommt  iiro]<cii  in  i;pon  it.  SiK'nee  rd-o  once 
more  r(.i,L;"n>.  s.-uc  for  ilio>f  jirdf  sn])prc-s(.-d  'jToans 
which  ]>roi,Tcd  from  the  ed.Lr<'  of  the  moat,  iidlini;-  all 
too  plainK  of  il,c  ha\oc  which  that  leaden  welcome 
from  the  fortress  had  pli\cd  in  the  rank<  of  t!r> 
a^-ailants.  Sa\c  for  thr-e  j^roai's  and  the  Lrrnevome 
and  weird  fiv  linos  which  thee  ]iro\-oked.  the  sentinel 
njion  the  walN  of  ;he  kee]i  mi^hl  have  heeii  tempted 
to  pronounce  the  events  of  the  ])ast  tew  minutes  as 
hu'  a  dream  of  the  ni^iit,  s. .  stealthit\  had  the  jn-as- 
aiUs  move(l  to  tlnir  attack  and  so  (piicklx  had  they 
lieen  dis])ersed.  lUit.  kept  wakeful  liy  these  awe-ome 
souii  Is  hi'low  tlu'in,  the  watcher-  on  the  castle  walls 
paced  to  and  fro.  throui;h  the  loip^'.  wear}  hours  un- 
til the  morn  aj'jiroacheil  and  a  ruddy  <.^'low  to  the 
eastward  wartii'(l  them  mat  the  ni'^-ht  of  anxions 
watchim;  \as  all  htit  over.  I'.ut  surely,  the  smi  never 
vt  hera.h'ed  his  rising;  hv  >;nch  a  redilenim:  of  tlie 
hori/on  as  that.  The  <entniels  ),ause  in  their  rounds 
and  after  Ljazin;.;:  for  a  time,  crv  out  to  then'  conirades 
In  low,  who  lookini^-  forlh^  are  also  impressed  !>\  the 
''reatncss  ,,f  that  li^Iil.     The  \'a\  vodc, — who  it  now 


tt 


I 


¥ 


,56 


I/ol(la. 


>-r('nis  w.T^  I'ilhcr  not  ahsciit  or  else  Iiad  returned 
earlier  titan  the  c  insi'irators  had  expected. — and  his 
t^^iu'^ts  niMunt  uiioti  tlie  roi}f  to  observe  the  sit;ht,  and 
the  cheek  of  eaidi  jiales  as  he  looks  forth,  while  lie 
asks  his  neighbor,  cmssiiiix  hiniself  meanwhile — 
what  it  ean  portend  ;  \»t.  in  his  heart  already  knows 
full  well,  tliMiii^h  each  fears  to  i)Ut  the  *rip;htful  tnUh 
in  words,  h'earsmnelv.  from  the  battlements  of  the 
castle  they  contimu-  to  t:aze  at  that  strancre  t^low  in 
the  east,  until  with  the  risinj,'  of  the  smi  it  pales  and 
vanishes  like  some  phantom  of  the  niijht  ;  and  some 
there  were  who  would  fain  have  held  it  such,  did  not 
a  nuirky  cloud  (till  now  hidden  in  the  darkness)  make 
its  appearance  to  banc;:  like  a  pall  over  that  portion 
of  the  horizon  and  refu>e  to  be  disjiersed  even  when 
the  strengthened  rays  of  the  orb  of  day  had  melted 
every  sign  of  haze  from  all  (juarters  of  the  landscape. 


J 


-jsi 


« 


CHAPTER  XTV. 

JANOS'    l-ATAU    15ANIJUET. 

Surclv   HOW.   ()   Comes   Geor^a-   Janos.   have    you 
iHcd  of  those  thick  walls  and  high  baltlenient>,  which 
it  has  been  y(jur  pride  lo  erect  amid  the  <;roans  and 
curses  of  the  wretched  serfs,  whom  you  comi)elied  to 
labor  early  and  late  in  the  buildint;  thereof,  with  scant 
or  no  recompense,  while  the  pour  harvest  which  they 
were  able  to  secure  from  the  small  holdings  which 
you  permitted  them  to  cultivate  in  their  own  behalf 
must  either  be  gathered  in  by  their  weary  wives  and 
daughters,— yea,  even  toddlin-  children,— or  left  to 
rot   in  the   stalk, — your  own  abundant   crops   mean- 
time having  first  l)een  carefully  garnered  for  you  into 
vour  barns.     Well  may  you  start  uneasily  and  mutter 
in  vour  gross  drean  ;,  as  you  lie  there  like  a  besotted 
beast  upon  the  lloor  of  yt)ur  great   ban(iueting  hall; 
for  far  worse  carnival  than  even  the  wildest  phantasv 
of  the  disordered  imagination  of  a  surfeited  glutton, 
will  the  nonce  be  enacted  for  vour  delectation. 

Though  they  knew  it  not.  the  attack  of  the  desper- 
ate peasantry  had  been  well  timed,  for  high  revel 
such  as  so  often  hlled  the  nights  of  the  Hungarian 
nobiliiv  had  this  eve  been  at  its  heigluh  within  ilu- 
hall.     I'uf  even  as  they  approached  without,  ih--  go<.  I 


f 


158 


I/uki 


cIk'ct  (il  mr;a  ami  wiiK^  ^.t  luf^rL'  ilu-  s^iu-sts  had 
wiirki'il  tiu'ir  charm,  until  i!ir  inajoritw  inchiilinL;  the 
l''i"'l  "I  'hi'  caMlc  hiiii-ch'.  la\-  >lri.'iclK''l  in  ilninkL'ii 
shniilK'r  aiiMul  i\]'.-  hnari',  >\l!iK'  MtlKT-.  of  stri 'U^cr 
lUTw.  (ir  miM\'  fatiKniv  tni'clu  rnn'ii,  still  lc\>{  iluir 
placrs,  aii.l  cxhilaraliil  hv  the  fumes  nf  the  \\ine>  iiru- 
viileil,  vied  each  with  hi-~  l\  Ih  i\v  in  Mime  rihald  -oiejf 
or  pdimhss  si,,r\,  (ill  iIu-,  also  are  MWTeonie  l.\  the 
persiiasise  iiilliu-iiee  i>\  tlu'ir  maiiv  ])i)iali(>iis.  and  sink 
l.L;niiminiMU-!y  to  tin-  llnor.  like  the  dvini;-  eml.er-  of 
some  mi;^ht\  c  .nllai^ralion,  uhieh  Hare  up  tiercelv 
and  i^hoMiix  like  the  moment  l)i  I'ore  the\  suh-ide 
into  chaiTc'd  nothini^ness.  At  this  nolahle  t'ea-t, 
janos,  moM.-d  h_\-  some  whim  (■!  drunken  fulh,  had 
hidden  that  all  the  suMier^  of  his  >-mall  .i;arri--on  l>c 
well  sujiiilied  from  his  tahle.  so  now,  s  Mne  even,  who 
shoul  1  have  l)eeii  ni^on  the  v  .dN,  uatehfnl  and  alert, 
could  he  counted  amonq;  tho-;e  who  were  stretclul 
I'l""'  the  lloor.  Ilrnce  when  the  swineherd,  with 
four  or  live  elhiseu  com;iaihons,  crept  steal  inh  to- 
ward the  walls  to  recomn  .itre.  while  the  main  hodv, 
rendered  more  limiil  hv  their  earlier  '■xperieme.  wait 
at  a  sale  distance  !•  ir  assurance  that  this  ^^arrison  has 
Jiot  hern  warniil  also,  tlu'v  are  surprised  to  Ihul  tl;.- 
drawhrid^^e  down  as  thou-h  inviting  tliein  t  ■  eiUer 
and  Lake  posse^siou.  After  a  can-ful  i\am:n:ition 
lest  this  api>arent  eas\  access  sh,,tdd  pr'.\c  an  artifice 
to  entr.ap  th  ni,  thcx  return  to  their  CMmr.i  hs  in  hii,di 
sjiirits  .and  ■  i:iart  tlu^dodnew-  to  them.  (  )n  1;.  ,ir- 
ino-  of  iliis  the  confidence  of  all  in  tlieir  le.iders  is  at 
ou^:c  restored,  s,,  thai  i1k-\    wlnj  a  f,_.\v  h.nirs  Ijcfore 


Janos'   Fatal   Banquet. 


159 


could  scarce  he  held  hack  from  a  general  stampede, 
are  now  with  alninsi  as  ijreat  difficulty  restrained  in 
their  im]iatience   to  attack. 

Silentlv,  as  het'iie,  tiie  whole  nunil)er  n<nv  advance 
to  liie  drawhriilge  and  proceed  to  cross  liie  nmat. 
St)  .threat  is  the  caf^ernos  ct  the  first  onward  rn--h, 
one  poor  wretch  is  i)ushed  o\er  the  edjjje  and  falls 
shriekinjj  into  the  pit  below.  This  mi^ht  have 
proved  the  ruin  of  his  companions  had  the  <jarrison 
been  on  the  alert,  for  there  was  yet  time  to  have 
dropped  the  portcullis  ere  the  foremost  could  cross 
and  reach  the  other  side:  hut  the  Conies'  conviviality 
had  sealed  his  doom,  and  uopo  were  there  to  seize 
the  opportunitv.  True,  some  three  or  four  halberd- 
iers, not  entirely  beseitted,  came  rnnninj;  to  learn  the 
cause  of  the  oiilcry,  but  tliey  were  ruthlessly  cut 
down,  while  yet  too  bewildered  to  realize  that  they 
were  attacked,,  and  their  weapons  (piickly  appro- 
priated b\  their  executioners,  who  ])ressed  on  into  the 
inli'rior  t<i  the  castle  and  r-oon  burst  into  the  ban- 
(|uetint,'  hall,  where  the  great  majority  of  the  Con-.es' 
guest^  and  soldiery  lay  helpless  at  their  mercy.  Far 
from  being  satisfied  with  their  easy  entrance,  the 
first  taste  of  iilood  sei-med  onlv  to  have  further  mad- 
dened this  bai!  1  of  (I.  -jifrale  men,  who  throwing  law 
and  order  t<i  the  winds,  ha\''  assayed  to  right  their 
f)wn  wrongs,  and  are  rii>e  to  wreak  :i  criul  \engeance 
for  generation'^  of  !nju>^tice  and  cruelty.  With  iierce 
shouts  thev  fall  upon  the  hapless  wretches  who  lie. 
.soiiio  still  slumi)erin:'.  others  just  wakened.  <l,-i/cd 
and  confused,  abou-  the  festive  board,  and  a  scene  of 


l"-  ^"  »*U^  '.^^^^ 


i( 


1 60 


I-/.oldii 


IK 

i 


liiiKoits  !)UtclKT\  riisiio.  l\LckIes.sly  ciittiiiL:;,  stab- 
l)iiii4  ami  slaslnnj;,  in  tluir  lury  tluv  si-ciii  scarce  to 
know  ulu'tlu-r  tlicv  attack  the  li\iii-  i>r  tlic  dead,  and 
miirc  tlian  (hic  iinconscii>ii.s  sleeper  is  tirst  brained 
!i\  a  Mii\v  truni  a  hni:;e  clnb  in  the  hands  of  one.  and 
later  his  inanimate  corjise  cut  to  pieces  by  those  who 
follow   after. 

I'.nt  not  all  are  thus  di-po-eil  of  like  beast>  in  the 
i-hanibles.  'I'o  some  few  the  shouts  of  battle  and 
the  clash  of  arms  brinjj;  instant  sobrietv,  and  instinc- 
tively they  clutch  the  weajions  nearest  to  hand  and 
spritif^inji  to  their  feet  prove  not  easy  victims  for 
their  a.ssailants.  Some  seven  or  ei.^ht  only  of  these 
al  len<4lh  remain  rallidl  toL:etlier  at  the  far  end  of  the 
hall,  with  Janos  in  their  midst.  fij.,ditini;  most  valor- 
ouslv, — for  the  Comes.  iImu^Ii  besotted,  crtiel  and 
selfishlv  c:raspint,^  was  but  the  product  of  his  a.^e  and 
race,  and  bv  no  means  a  coward,  now  -stands  like  a 
lion  al  bay  with  an  hundred  jackals  snarlintj  about 
him.  Tic  wields  his  hiiye  sword  to  such  ij^ood  ))tir- 
]iose.  ablv  seconded  by  the  few  who  remain  beside, 
that  they  have  at  leni;th  cleared  a  small  si)ace  about 
theiu.  within  which  none  seems  willini::  to  thrust  him- 
self, (juick  to  discern  thi.^  slii.;ht  advaiita.ue.  the 
C'ome-  commences  to  edi^e  toward  the  door  v.liich 
leads  from  the  hall  by  a  st;urway,  to  his  private  ai)art- 
ments  in  the  kee]).  If  the\-  can  but  -:;m  this  slair- 
wa\-.  escape  tot  he  keei>  anil  barricade  tlu'  dc  ^  >r  alv  ive. 
tlu'v  m.'iv  be  able  to  stand  sie,iL;e  until  succor  shall  ar- 
rive. It  is  but  a  forlorn  Iiojk-.  but  even  the  most 
de.-pcra'e  chance  were  better  than  certain  bmchery. 


Janos'    Fatal    Banquet. 


l6! 


As  soon  as  In  ami  his  I'l-w  euniratk-s  coinir.i'iicc  tn 


Illuvr 


ll 


K'lr    assai 
,lv   th 


laiit' 


i|i\  imiu 


tl 


icir    otijfc; 


rii^li 


A   half 


iiMrf  tunoiisly  tliaii  t\  r  to  ihc  .iiiack  ami  Halt  a 
■^(.'nri'.  coining  witiim  the  swicp  <•{  tlioso  tlashiiiy; 
.-words,  rt)Il  to  the  tloor  to  add  to  thv  yroat  hcaj) 
of  curpsf--.  hut  in  the  mad  rush  thn-c  of  tin-  hravi- 
rciuiiaut  likewise  ^o  down,  while  a  hoih  of  the  |)ea-- 
aiits  stri\i'  to  take  |iossessioii  of  the  stairwav  and 
lliu-  ctU  oft  all  chanei.'  of  escajje.  lUit  the  doorway 
is  ju>t  within  reach  of  the  sword  |)oims  of  the  hard 
jirtssed  hand,  and  the\  ))1\  their  hlades  to  si.  ii  _i;ood 
I'ttrpose  that  thev  at  lenj^th  make  an  o{)enin<i;  for 
ihein-elves.  and  s])rin,;^int;  to  the  door,  three,  covered 
1)\  the  mi<4;hty  arm  of  jaiios.  reach  thi'  stair,  and  he 
.;Uer  another  tierce  onslaui^ht  upon  his  foes,  likewise 
mounts  tii)ward,  ftdlowed  clo-tly  l)y  the  more  \en- 
turesome  of  the  assailants.  .\nd  now  the  narrow  ])ass- 
■d'^c  resounds  with  the  clash  of  steel,  dull  l)low>  and 
deep  curses,  as  ])antii'  >  and  well-nijj^h  exliausted.  the 
(|u;irtette  slowly  tjive  .\ay  inch  hy  inch  before  th'.ir 
pursuers,  until  the  door  at  the  lop  of  the  stairway  is 
reached,  [fere  another  short  and  desperate  '^tand  is 
made  iiidinj.;;  in  a  still  tierciT  onslauiiht  of  the  peas- 
ants in  a  last  endeavor  to  prevent  their  victims  from 
oin-niiiL;,  entiTint;^  and  closinjj^  the  door  hehind  them: 
hut  success  at  leni^^tli  crowns  the  efforts  of  the  hanl 
pressed  warriors,  though  one,  alas,  f.ills  di  ad  within 
the  threshold,  while  the  survivors  (piicklv  seize  all 
tli.it  can  he  moved  in  the  ro>)m  and  pile  for  a  barricade 
a^rainst  the  door  which  is  already  roounding  with  tlic 
U 


I62 


Izcjliia. 


,.  ) 


il^' 


ill 


lilous  I'f  tlif   Ik'ii'Is  witliou 


t,  who  refuse  to  lie  tliU'^ 


alkr.l   c.t  tlu'ir  liny 


'>taiiiliiu 


in 


tl 


10    Cfiitre 


>f   th 


(•    ri>"m, 


wliicli    lias 


n-cii  thus  uiKTrriiiDiiiDU 


,lv 


li\  iiiLT  rciiini  1 1 


I  tlU'  ( 


(.ntcrcil  anil  which  is  tlio 
taiiulv,  i>  a  tall  aiul  hrauti 


till 


•irl 


iuit    scan; 


.•la.l. 


hnii    amused 


lansjint' 


evifleiiciui;  that    she   ha<l 
uut    of    -leeii.     With    lonij;    dark    hair 
loc.selv  al  .'lit   lur  siiouMers  ami  descendinj^ 


to   her   waist, 
dilateil  eyes, 
ineiits  tif  her 


lilancned 


cnt'i 


diiti 


.■t    lip 


and 


die  watclus   in  nui 


te  terror  the  inove- 


fai' 


ler  an< 


I   h 


is  eoiniiaiuoiis, 


while  she 


clutches  convul>ively  a  loaded  ariiuebuse.  Pausinj^: 
for  a  nioineiU  al'ler  the  completion  of  his  preiiarations 
l,,r  .leunse,  the  (."omes  catches  si.L;ht  of  this  piteous 
tii^ure  and  sprintjins  to  her  side  the  lurce  warrior  is 
in  a  nioineiit  as  pontic  as  a  wujnian,  as  ho  strives  to 
reassure  her. 

"I'ear  not,  my  child,"  he  softly  says.  "All  is  not 
vet  I'-t,  and  ere  these  heiids  force  an  entrance  we 
may  h.i.ve  -nccor  from  without.  Let  me  take  this  toy 
of  your>;"  and,  aside  to  one  of  his  companions,  "It 
will  i.rove  of  u>e  in  <^ivin-  a  tittin.i,'  reception  to  him 
who  tu-M  Inirsts  tlirouL;!!  our  barricade." 

Still  >iKnl,  in  a  spell  of  frozen  horror,  the  maiden 
relinquishes  lur  p-asp  upon  the  weai>oii,  but  at  once 
tiL,ditlv  sei/es  lier  father'-  arm  instead,  while  all  staiul 
waitiuLj-.  thankful  for  a  brief  breathin-;  space  before 
the  ii-'a!  tra-edy.  They  will  not  have  lout;  to  wait  : 
iMr  the  attack  upon  the  door  from  the  stairway  con- 
tinues uncea>int,dy.  And  now,  a  -real  -lare  from 
without    is    relkcted   in    the    room    throut,di   the    em- 


Janus'   Fatal    Banquet. 


•^M 


lirasiirc's  in  tlir  vvalN.      Stridini;  t 


'  >    f<\)V 


.f  t! 


K'sC,    tllO 


Cmuks  looks   fort! 


I   and 


rraiK    surmised    is   irati'- 


■  nil! 


that    wlmli   lu'  lias  ai- 
lUiii    upon   (Icstruo- 


lion,    till.'    t 


ii'ri 


alil.K 


iIku-    uork    of   liutclur\    ;u 


I'l  >ni])!i>lu'il.    and    R'avin;.,'    to    ilir    hrav 


work  ot  iloinj^  to  di-alli  tli 
oastK's  def<.'nd(.'rs,  lia 
I  111  court  \ard  \>v\ 


ow . 


er    s|.irits    t!ie 

U'  lU'spi'ratc  remnant  of  the 

ve  tired  tlie  wocidcn  Iiuildiin^s  in 

and  tile  tl. 


mus  liaee  'iiiu 


kl 


eoiin-   eomnnmicated   to  iIk'   rooi- 


ol    Ilk 


niani 


so  that  shortly  the-  whole  uil 
fiirnaee.      ( latlierimj'   aroi 


trnniijdiant    ]irasaiits, 
drunkiii,    as    it    were, 


,.ile, 


l)e  a  seethniir,  ineltiiitr 


md   tin- 


del 


iri.pus   w  1 
,ilh   the   M( 


WW, 

th 


lioiiiire, 


le 


Joy   ai. 


tl 

maijh 


>i   their    f. 


danee  and  miu 


lemons  from  the  m-ther 


nios 


dly  shoiuiiiij  their  defiance  of  the  nob! 


t  pit. 


es  and  vam- 


orii  in-- 


nnaLdiinu' 


-jioor    niis!4"u 


d,-,l    fi 


-that 


tluy  have  already  (juite  acc()m])lished  their  own  de- 
liveranee  from  the  thraldom  which  so  lonijf  has  heeii 
the  lot  of  tlie  Matjyar  peasant.     ( >ne,  catchiii'^  ^ij^ht 


.t  tl 


omes 


f; 


iCe 


at 


le  window,  where  it  is 


plain 


outliiuMl  in  the  ijlare  of  the  tire,  draws  the  attent 


ion 


curse 


lis    lellows, 
foul 


and 


loud    shouts    ot    derision. 


and 


invecli\es  ascend  to  tl 


le  (.ar> 


tierce 
if  the 


proud  iiolilc  an<l  his  shixeriiiL,''  child, 


wlio  s 


till 


closelv 


clutches  him. 


!)( 


nil 


es   it    not,   in   these   (juiet,   peaceful   days,   seeiTl 
d   incredible  that  such  atrocities  could  be  com- 


mitter 


ir    that    Inn 


nan    WeniL^s    c 


add    1 


)e    capanie 


ot 


such  cruelti 
th 


Vet  is  tl 


le  picture  not  overdrawn, — • 


e    re\erse    rather. 


.\re   t 


le    neasants    in. 


th 


IS    wi 


Id 


tlirein;,^  the  same,  w  ho  a  few  davs  since  could  be  seer 


y' 


1^1 


'ft 


164 


I/olda. 


liarvt'Stiii^'  tluir  L,"r;iiii,  Ik  I'lini,'  'luir  >-\\iiic,  ■  ir  cii- 
^aij;t'(l  in  aii\  oiu'  iii  lln-  \anMU>  iki.  ii]iatiiiii^  of  tlu' 
juasan'^  lit<  -  (jnirt.  ilull,  !i-t!i-  >.  -^  tluni^li  tin- 
world  itM'll'  'niL;lit  ria^  ti>l)i-  .  ^  it  would  In  all  onr 
to  tlu'iir  Ami  It  so.  liavi'  tlu.  not  ^om-  ^tidiinly, 
viokiuK  anil  lio|nks>l\-  in>aiH'.'  Idsc  !iow  ari'  tlu'V 
traiislonui'd  >o  (|uioklv  nto  this  howlinj^f,  iabborin^', 
j^'isticulatinL;  and  lii'kous  nioh  rn^a^'i'd  in  (!.  oils  of 
l)Iood  and  raiiinc.  lin-  wantonness  and  orurltN  of 
wliicli  niii,dit  cansi'  tvrn  tlu-  funds  of  i!u-  1o\v<.t  world 
to  blush  wiiii  shanu'-  Snnly.  rational,  roasoiiiiiL,' 
l)cini,'s.  could  not  ui  hlood  and  tiro  riot  thus.'  Some 
frij^ditful  mania  in  1st  havi-  taken  i)osse--icin  of  tluml 

^'es.  insane  are  they,  a-  are  all  muu,  ai  1  woiii.n 
also,  who  for  the  time  fori^ettiui^  the  words  "\  eii- 
i^^ea-ice  :s  mine.  1  will  rtiias,"  undenake  to  di-pen-*; 
"justice"  in  their  own  behalf,  and  i;i\in^  free  course 
to  |)assion,  embark  on  that  swift  -tream.  the  end  of 
which  thev  si'em  not  to  see,  thouj^di  it  be  tlu'  while 
all  so  pl;.in  "that  lie  may  run  that  readeth  it."  Sr  h 
dethrone  from  its  lawful  seat,  conscience. — that  in- 
ward voice  of  Cod  in  man.  -and  tk-itterir.^  her  with 
variiHis  names,  wliether  "Reason,"  "l,ibert\ ."  "Iviiial- 
itv,"  or  otlier  vainjjlorious  title,  allow  its  place  to  be 
usurju'd  bv  the  "straniLje  woman."  and  1  >llow  on 
blindlv.  lue<llessly  .ind  all  too  surely  to  the  lirink  of 
that  dark  abyss,  whither  she  leads  all  who  worship 
her. 

I'earful  indeed,  and  too  horrible  to  detail,  were 
the  crimes  perpetrated  by  tho-e  uneducated,  down- 
trodden, half  wiid,  (k  ^])erate  and  deceived    Ilungar- 


Janos'   Fatal    Baii(|uct. 


jira'^aiit- 


'.ut  ai  iT  all  utTo 


the 


ilio  ratlirr,  utrc  llu'v  lialf 
rasji'oiis,  halt  so  cnirl.  or  i;uihy 


aii\'  UMr>c', — 
lit 


ha'l.  half  so  out- 
hall  tlu'  iiijusti.  I , 


liu-  imlipn 


lienitv,  tlie  diMlaiii.  !!'.•-•  t\ranny  aii'i  the  iiihu- 


iiiaiuty 
trcatc'l  fi 
IkkI    at 


with   which   tlu'si^   sanu-   jjcasams   had   hccii 


li  II 


,uiHrati  'n--  l'\   thr  very  class  whom  tlu 
,'th,    in    (lcsi)t'ratioii.    riscu    a^'ainst    an 


)nght  to  fNtiTinii'iato 


Wrilv,  if  wi 


A 


1)0  hilt  harilv 


inst.  an 


il  hU'ssc'l  with  hut   nuTtlv  ordinary  disccrn- 

miMit,  nui'-;   wc  not  admit   that,  while  such  deeds  of 

d  and  horror  revolt  and  terrify  us,  yet  i.iTi)etrated 


m  the  heat  of  i>assion 
lion,  they. — as  it  were 
rohes  of  innocenc-  .  wluii  co 
calcnlatiiu 


torturing,    coldh, 


l>v  those  goaded  to  dc--|'cra- 

, — stand  clothed   in  the   white 

mp.ired  with  the  slowly 

^vstematicallv    extor- 


tionate, 
injustice  of  tin 
vantage  and  pe 


Itishlv    in  lifTerent    and    scornfully    ins.  dent 


kho  for  tlie  sake  of  their  own  ad- 
1  personal  at:;^randizenient,  dav  after  day, 

ftcr 


month  after  month.  \  ear  after  year,  generation  a 

generation, 

wantonlv  drive 


like     father,     like     son.     carelessly     and 
lho~e  weaker  than  themselves  to  such 


a  condition  of  hop.  less  desi)air 


Witl 


1    a    contemptuous    sm 


ile,    lanos    looks    away 


rom  the  pitiful  exhihition  and  ga7es  anxi< 


tr 


tlie  roadwav,  w 


■uslv  aioiu 


liich  is  lighted  ii]i  for  a  mile  or  more, 
1  his  heart   sinks  within  him,  for  he  sees  no  sign 

1   still   louder   grows   the 


am 

of   succor,   while   louder  am 


dm,  an 


I  t 


10  hattenng  hlow.s  upui 


n  t 


he  door  cease  not. 


Even  as  he  turns  to  re-enter  the  rot 


im  their  frail  bar- 


ricade topples  over  them  witli  a  loud  crash  and  their 
merciless  foes  are  once  more  upon  them.     His  two 


1 66 


l/oK'..l. 


Soil-   r(.in.iimni;    C'Uii|i;iiiii  ■H'-,    -iir\ivi)rs   of   llic    rnrci 


bailie 


-jTin;^  1(1  iiut  1  llic  l.iU'  li'i  nil  u  liii 


■li  tluTr  i>  iM 

cscapt.'.  an.\i<Mi>  mil)  in  <!.»  tlu-  uiiiio^t  cxn.-uiion  l)i'- 
forr  lluv  tall.  I'm-  a  inuiiu'iit  or  tun  the  nn(i|nal 
tif^^lit  ra^'c>  cri'  ilu'  twn  i;n  ■luwn,  cacii  Mii-dinj.^'  I'ruiii 
a  (Inzrii  fatal  uouii'l-,  while  a  ru--Ii  is  niaiU'  inv  tlu- 
CoiiR's  and  his  dauL;hti  r.  Sri/iiiL;  tlu'  ar<|Url>i's(.-, 
which  lu-  had  taki'ii  frnm  his  dauj^hti'i's  hands,  [anus 
Icvrls  it  at  the  swiiirhiTd,  who  luvids  the  band,  and 
.studs  iho  ball  crashiiiL,'  tlironi^di  his  Iirain,  then  sei/- 
iiiL;'  his  child  in  his  amis  lie  sprini^s  t!irou'.4li  an  eni- 
bra.snre  upon  the  battlements  and  mountiii-  tlie  para- 
pet, leai)s  with  his  fair  burden  from  the  vail,  and 
meets  death  at  th-  bottom  of  the  moat  an  liundre  I  feet 
below.  A  moment  later  the  ui)per  storv  of  the  kee]), 
undermineil  by  the  biirnini;  of  the  rafters  below,  sinks 
inward,  buryimx  a  full  score  of  the  authors  of  this 
destruction  in  its  rums,  while  just  then  the  dawn, 
which  had,  unnoticed,  liecn  for  some  time  ^tru •^'■njlinc^ 
in  the  east,  bursts  forth  into  day,  and  as  it>  lij^ht  in- 
creases that  of  the  cnntlaLjration  diminishes  in 
ghastly,  sickly  contrast  to  the  brilliancv  of  the  risen 
sun,  which  mij.;ht  well  remain  fi.xed  in  wonderment  on 
tlic  horizon  at  the  scene  of  death  and  destrirclion  ex- 
])osed  by  his  rays,  spread  out  a^  a  vile  blot  upon  the 
otherwise  peaceful  and  deliLrluful  landscape. 

The  iicasants,  ap[>alled  by  the  disaster  in  so  many 
(if  their  number  and  fri_i,diteiu' 1  by  the  awful  revela- 
tion of  tile  wanton  destruction  thev  had  causcil,  laid 
liare  in  all  its  hidcousness  by  the  risinj^  orb,  without 
waiting  one  for  the  other,  but  with  one  accord,  beat 


\1 


"i 


V  -.' 


Jaiios'    Fiital    BiinquLt. 


167 


a  lia-tv  r-.trcat  \>>  tin.-  forest,  likf  ^'»  many  i^lionls 
can-lit  ill  tlK-  i:iiluli;iiK-i-  in  llicir  (lis-uslini,^  feast  and 
tliciii';  fr.)iii  the  lii^Mit  Ml  ilay,  wliilr  n..UL;Iit  tuU  a  '■  -ap 
<if  sinoldiTin^  mills  riiiiaiiuil  to  mark  tlir  wluro- 
alx.uts  of  tlio  oiuT  i.r.iiid  castK'  '>i  |au..s  aii<l  a  >~tilliii,ir 
,Mli)r  of  hakint;  ilcsli  t..  till  all  too  i-lainlv  tho  fate  (jf 
its  lord,  his  boon  conii)ani(jiis  and  liis  retainers. 


1    '1 


ill 

i! 


i*. 


1 


i^ 


i68 


I/.old;i 


CrTAPTF.R  XV. 

TiiK   \A\\()i)i;"s  TRirMi'ii. 

John  ?zai)(i|\ai  did  int  stay  l..n^-  jj;aziii';  at  the  {vU- 
talo    sif,Mis    (>i    ramj)aiit    anarchy.      Instrad    hi.-    L;avi' 
qnick.   sharj)  orders   ti.r   tlu'   a>>(.'nihlinj^'  ui    !ii.    \c-,.- 
niaiir\    and    prcjiarfd   in    ri(h'    fnrtli    in   <|nrst    of   the 
authors  ni  tlie  last  ni.L;ln's  violence.     Imtm,  liowever, 
iu'  !)a!d  a  \  i-it  to  liruised  and  sulTeriiiL,^  ]'  .ida.  ulioni 
I  e  (|nesti(ined   nio-t    closely   .i-,  to  the  nio\einents  of 
the  peasants,  their  actions  durini;  the  pa^t  few  da\s, 
and  all  that    .he  had  heard  said   which  woidd  throw 
an\    h-ht    upon  their  further  plan-'.     The  i)oor  maid 
aiiswen-d  him  a-^  he-i  she  mi,i,du.  hein-  overjoM-d  that 
tlie  raid  u|)on  the  cattle  iiad  fnilr  1.  x^t  in  yreat  an.xi- 
ety  lest    harm  to  her  dear   father   should  come  of  it 
all,    and    she   did    her   hest    to    shield    him    from    anv 
siisi)ici,i  1  of  haxin.o  .riven  countenance  to  the  actions 
of  the  raiders.      P.ut  it  did   n.,|   take  the  shrewd  and 
cininin--  Wtwode  lono-  j.,  s^.^.  thron-h  the  I'itift.l  at- 
ten-.pts   o.    the  il;iu,';hter  to   Ir.id  a\\a\    'rom   all   men- 
tion ;,f  n,',z,;i's  name,  and  he  at  once  made  a  ctrtaintv 
<'l  what  was  to  li,r  hu!  ;i  dreaded  possihihts.  and  he 
determined   to   hedd   the   hnh,  captain   personally   re- 
sjionsihle  for  the  omhreak. 

r.efure  noon  a  stron-  force  had  been  -ratliercd,  and 


1> 


The  \'avv()(lc's  Triumph. 


1 60 


\vitli  Szapulyai  at  it>  licad  nidc  fi)rth  tu  |)ur;uo  ami 
]iuiii.sli  the  iiiarauikTs.  I'irst  tlu'v  nxk-  directly 
tiiward  tl".e  neij;lihtirini;  castle  of  Jaiins,  and  that  they 
\\eie  t<)!l()win<j  tJie  route  taken  h\  the  peasants  was 
soon  [)laiidy  evidi'Ut  by  the  trani])leil  roadsides. 
TIi<nij;h  larj^ely  ])re|)are(l  for  it.  the  s])cctacle  pre- 
sented to  their  vision  when  they  arrived  u;  on  the  site 
of  the.  yesterday,  proud  castle  proved  a  rude  shock 
to  e\ery  one  in  the  com[iany,  and  if  there  was  one 
who  felt  the  slightest  ieanint;  toward  leniency  in  deal- 
ini::  \\ 'til  'I'e  peasants,  his  heart  was  at  once  steeled 
against  tliem,  and  each  felt  ])repari'ii  to  do  his  par.  in 
carrying  out  the  dri-ad  retriI)ution  which  the  \  a\\ode 
at  ipucc  swore  to  mete  out  to  all  concerned  in  that 
nii^ht's  fearful  outrai,H'.  The  charred  ruins  were  still 
snioulderini^  and  stnokini,'.  while  irretjnlar  nias.ses  of 
the  blackened  walls  sto(,>d  out  here  and  there  like 
!.,n'iin  seiiMnels.  who  had  died  at  their  ])ost  of  duty 
rath'T  than  i)rove  false  to  their  tru-^t.  Hut  there  was 
not  need  to  dwell  upon  fancii'il  divotion.  for  s^rue- 
some  evidence  of  the  tierce  defense  was  close  at  hand. 
Scattereil  here  and  there  amontj  the  ruins  were  to  ho 
seen  limhs,  headless  tnniks  and  tnnikless  heads,  all 
fearfully  hackeil  and  mani.;!ed.  mute  witnes-es  of  the 
tieiidish  lust  of  hlood  and  hutciiery  which  ha<l  taken 
possession  of  the  \ictors,  niak'intj  them  still  seek  to 
wreak  venq-eance  u]ion  the  inauiniate  corpses  of  their 
fallen  foes.  .\t  the  bottom  of  the  moat,  coverci  bv 
the  debris  of  the  fallen  wall  were  unearthed  th.e 
cru'-hi'il  and  lifeless  bodies  of  the  Comes  and  his 
daughter. — the  latter,   so  lately  al!   so  fair,   Iwautiful 


! 


I 


r- 

' 

170 

I /old 

1. 

;ii!il    I 

aiiliv 

ItillL,^    til    t\]c    r\f 

of    1 

lie 

),dlold 

■V,   now  a 

tliim: 

iiiilii' 

•ely', 

liDiTiliK-  and 

sieli 

eiiiii,:;  to  t 

lie  si-ht. 

TarryiiiL,' 

l.ul 

Iiiiil;  eiMU<;h 

tu  jj;ive 

(hrectioii  fur  the                | 

iiilmiu-iit  c 

)f  ill 

(.■  Ixidies.  Sza 

)ii|y 

ai  led  liis  now  eai^er                | 

lun.l 

a'^aiii 

iiit 

)  the   I'lre^t, 

and 

rod 

I-  hard 

iijioii  ihe 

track 

ol    ll 

u-   i)iTi)eirati)is   0 

f   tliis 

.lltOll 

!)Utchery. 

'IMioy 

had  not  ] 

roceetled  far 

in  t 

he, 

mrsuit 

ere  it  be- 

came 

evi(U 

■lit   1 

hat  their  (iiiarrv 

eit 

her   fri 

»in   prcar- 

raiii^einent 

(If 

tin    acciHiiit 

(,f 

SU( 

Iden    1 

anic,    had 

ahandoned  all  attempt  at  united  jno^re^s,  and  scat- 
teriiiij,  iiad  made  tlieir  retreat  in  a  ■^core  of  different 
(hiectioiis.  Tile  \'a\\c:)de  at  once  deei(k<l  to  forego 
further  organized  imrsuit,  hut  instead  to  carry  out  a 
house-to-liouse  \isitation  oi  tile  ])easants  on  all  the 
neighboring  estates  :  and  dividing  his  force  into  bands 
of  three  or  four  ga\e  to  each  its  district,  with  the  in- 
struction to  sho\,  no  (juarter  to  any  jjcasant  who  was 
uiiaiile  to  give  the  strictest  account  oi  his  wliere- 
al)outs  during  the  jti  vceding  niglit.  Most  faith- 
fulh  were  these  orders  carried  out  by  his  ft. '.lowers; 
aid  man\-  a  terror-stricken  man,  dragged  forth  from 
be-<iile  his  wife  and  children,  bewildered  by  their 
(jm -itioning,  and  unable  full\  to  satisfy  his  impatient 
in(|ui-itors,  jjaiil  the  death  jienalty  for  a  crime  of 
which  he  was  all  innoce'it  and  also  ignorant  of:  this 
l)efore  the  eye-  of  those  lie  hel".  di'ar.  and  who, 
widowed  and  orjilKmed.  '.hen  had  the  added  misery  of 

seeing  the  ] r  shelter    which  was  to  them  a  Iionie, 

burned  t(.  the  ground,  ;>n<l  they  themselves  turned 
into  the  forest. 

^^zapolyai  mean,  hile  rode  straigh      ■      lie  liotise  of 


The   \'.i\  \i)clc's  Triumph. 


171 


Di'izsa.  anil  al;cr  ransarkini^  it  in  vain  fur  cviiK'nci'  'if 
llu'  trcaMiii  of  its  ma^trr,  tJidori'il  tin-  turcli  to  he  aj)- 
l)lii.'il.  Close  by.  in  liii!inj.j,  were  uiK-artlu'il  ( iivj^^oi  \ , 
uitli  Sinion,  tlir  liol-liradcd  IcadtT  of  tlic  ill-starred 
an<l  short  li\cd  in^^lrrl■^.'ti' ni.  who,  wlicn  inialik'  to 
control  his  panic-strickiii  foilowirs,  once  the  li,L;ht  of 
(lav  had  revealed  to  iheni  their  handiwork  in  all  its 
naked  horror  had  hither  lied  in  vain  Imiic  to  csca])0 
the  stern  aveni^er.  These,  with  e\(jni-~ite  torture, 
were  withont  re-jiite  put  {>>  death,  and  well  -ati>tu-d 
that  all  dantjer  of  the  treason's  spreadiiiLj  was  at  an 
end,  the  TransN  Ivanian  rnler  returned  to  hi^  ca>tle 
just  as  ni^ht  came  on  as.;ain.  I'.nt  that  ila\'.->  work  by 
no  means  ended  tlu'  efforts  of  the  \'a\  vode  to  insure 
the  rest()ration  of  law  and  order,  and  to  place  heyond 
all  question  any  further  rising-  of  the  i)ea>antry  within 
his  borders,  lie  <j;rindy  said  that  he  would  ,L;ive  those 
who  were  quite  innocent  (if  coniplicil\  in  the  con- 
sjiiracv  j:;(io('  reasrm  to  curse  the  folly  of  those  who 
had  dared  io  stiike  a  rebellious  blow  a.q'ainst  their 
masters.  .\nd  rii;ht  faithfully  did  he  kee])  hi',  word, 
for  the\-  were  (|uickly  shorn  of  aut^ht  of  privileu^e 
wuich  had  remained  to  them  and  subjected  to  a  sys- 
tem of  such  harsh  surveillance  that  tin  ir  conilition 
w.is  scarce  one  jot  removed  from  abject  slavery.  No 
wonder,  then,  tliat  those  who,  if  succo-^ful,  would 
have  be(  n  hailed  as  liberators  and  extolled  a-^  patri- 
ots, were  instead  envied  for  the  ^wift  ile.ath  wliich 
had  delivered  their,  from  the^e  further  i)er~ecutions, 
wliilc  all  n:.ntion  of  their  names  was  but  in  execration 
for  their  (h-astroLis  failure. 


11^ 


m 


172  i/()iti,i. 

Michai'i  \h'h'i7\  lia(i  aconnipan'.   1  his  lios'  'hrouph- 
out  that  tcrrihlc  <i;,       md  while  l!i>  i)assi(in  rose  as  ho 
viowoil   tlic  y\\w\   (ksiriuMion     ■    jaii^        and  he  couM 
lint  (iispu'r  tlu'  justice  ol  the  1 1  iril)inii.n  nvted  out  to 
tlioso  who  lia  !   uniUL;iit  it,  yet  his  heart  t;:<.'\v  heavy 
aixl  -iek       ithin  h    ;i  at     ''c  luanv   >ail   sii^hts  he  saw. 
and  he  jxiiKlered.  as     •■  rode,  on  'he  wre-'diethiess  and 
misery  still  in  stoie  Inr  the  nian\    \mv    ent  women  and 
children    now      I'li.less   and    herel't.      Xo   w  .!ider   that 
he  (|uesti(ine<l   ..ithin  himself  whether  the  real  authors 
"I  that  night's  crime-    were  not,  after  all,  those  wIkj, 
hy   their  cru- 1   and   inditTerent    treatment   of   their   de- 
pendants,  had   dri\ei-,    them    to   the   des|Hrati.  .n    which 
ripened  int-  su.  .1  Mutra,-:es  ;  an.j  gladly  wouM  he  have 
interveneil   in  m,  ,re  than   one  case  ti>  >a\e  the  life  ol 
one  he   felt    persuaded    inn.jceiU  .   hut   one   lo.  k    at    the 
lirm,  set  lace  nf  .S/ai)olyai  showed  hut  \<<  ■  plainl\    the 
tutditv  of   ;dl   art^ument.      Now    the   time  passed    irk- 
somely.    He  1:  id  indeed  wished  to  imnudiateh    set  out 
upon  h's  return  to  Marot,  hut  the  \'ayvode  counselled 
dela\-,  sa\ing  that  with  tlu'  cor    !r\    in  such  :m  unset- 
tled  Stat.,    his   lit;!e    folIowin,<;    w.iP.M   have  hut    small 
chance  <if  re.ach.iuL;  its  de-iinatinn  in  safet\.  and  ni>;h- 
in.i:  C'lnld   I  .■  trained  hy  sacrificin<,r  himself  and   them, 
when    later    on    everv    stron-    arm    would    doubtless 
prove  of  value.      Sn  the   vounj,-  artist   stayed   i.n   and 
grew  each  da\    more  im!>aticnt  to  he  off.   foi    wh.ilc  al 
first  there  had  heeti  no  d.^nht  nf  the  heartiiic^s  of  his 
welcome,    and    the    heautiful    Joamia    ha.f  heen    tnost 
{gracious  to  him,  \et  after  a  few  <lavs  he  became  con- 
scious of  a  marked  change  in  the  ireatinent  accorded 


The  Vayvode's  Triumph.  17.^ 

i.ini  liv  ,  .itli  lUliiT  aiiil  (laut^litiT,— ci.1.1  looks  and 
ct  ri'in.iiiioiis  iiolitfiu-ss  lakint:  tlu-  phut.-  oi  llif  priM- 
uu-^  open  triiudliiK's-.  This  he  was  (jnick  to  trace  to 
tlu-  niacliniations  of  the  Spaniard,  de  Caul,  who  was 
still  a  favored  .^uest  oi  Szapolyai  and  went  mucli  in 
his  conipaiiv  as  he  journeyed  to  an<l  fro.  thoui,di  he 
also  contrived  to  s])end  no  little  time  in  the  society 
of  Joanna,  in  whose  ^o'^'l  graces  it  was  evident  he 
luld  high  i)lace.  Him.  Michael,  in  deference  to  their 
conmton  host,  was  compelled  to  meet  <;n  terms  of  ap- 
parent friendluuss,  though  he  ever  felt  a  longing  to 
seize  him  l.y  tlie  throat,  which  longing  \wis  strength 
(lied  l)v  tl-e  tone  (  '  io\er'  insolence  in  which  the 
Spaniard. -a  master  of  such  arts  — fre(|uentlv  fotmd 
oi>i)ortunity  to  addre.-.>  him   in   the  )>resence  of  one 

anil  all. 

Little  saw  he  of  Izolda,  who,  poor  maid,  was  for 
some  tiiuc  gravely  ill  after  that  night's  awful  eNi)e.i- 
ence.  and  was  still  quite  weak  anrl  frail.  When  he 
.lid  at  .  ngth  encounter  her,  he  found  that  she  was 
stiil  tilled  with  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  her  father,  and 
she  plea.led  ])itifully  that  if  chance  availed  he  would 
do  his  utmost  to  i>res'Tve  him  harndess  from  hi- 
foes.  This  he  rt'adily  promised,  though  lie  had  littU- 
f.-iith  that  au-ht  he  could  do  would  prove  of  any  ser- 
vice to  the  iH-asant  chief,  did  his  enemies  gain  pos- 
session of  his  jiersou. 

'•r.ut  of  v-iurself,  Izolda."  he  inquired.  "Whither 
•'o  vou.  and  what  i>  your  jmriiose  until  your  father 
come  again  :" 

"That  !  had  ind-'ed  scarce  thought  of  until  \ ester- 


l< 


P?^\ 


wm 


I 


\, 


174 


l/olda. 


liay,  whfii  I  si)ii;;!it  in  leave  the  cattle  oti  a  vi^it  to 
ni>  lallier's  luni-^e.  An  lialheruier  fjuickly  stoj^ped  me 
and  made  knoun,  tli'Ui-li  nut  niikiinlly,  tliat  his  lord's 
instruetions  ueri'  that  I  -n  ma  l)c_v(jnd  tlic  castle 
uaii.-.     So  'lis  plain  1  am  a  i)risiiner." 

"I  do  not  know  Init  that  tlie  \'avvode  is  rpiite  wise, 
and  that  for  th.e  ))resent  yon  are  indeed  safe-t  near 
to  the  iier^on  of  !iis  dau,L,diter,'  responded  Michael, 
in  whose  heart  there  f^rew  np  a  j;reat  pity  for  the 
poor,  helpless  maid,  whose  father  he  much  doubted 
wotdd  ever  return  to  lu  r,  while  the  immediate  i)res- 
enee  of  the  unprincipled  Spaniard  added  nut  to  Iter 
seenriiy. 

Several  \se''ks  went  by,  durins;  wlu'ch,  at  times, 
vaj^ue  rnniiirv;  ,,1  uarful  hap[)eninirs  in  the  Alf.'ld  and 
surroimdiny  district  penetrated  to  the  castle.  'Twas 
said  that  there  the  vast  crusadim;  armv,  q-athered 
under  l)('izsa  to  jiroceed  ai^ainst  the  Turks,  had  pre- 
v.ailed  upon  its  connnander  to  first  turn  his  attention 
to  the  ri-^ditinj;  of  the  i-easants  wrom;s  and  the  lift- 
inL,'  of  ilie  liurdens  under  which  they  had  q-rcjaned  for 
i^eneratioiis.  I'.verywhere  success  had  rested  with 
the  relnls.  and  the  forces  of  the  nobles  were  broken 
and  soalttix'd,  and  soon  Hi'ixsa  wi>nM  have  but  to 
dieiMe  his  nwn  terms  to  the  former  ■  Mii)ress(irs.  All 
these  reports  Szapolyai  exanu'ned  bv  strictest  inipiirv 
ot  those  who  broULjht  them,  but  made  no  remark. 
th"UL:h  he  ciiuld  at  timc^  be  seeti  smilimj^  ,c;rimlv  to 
hims.jf;  nuantime  lie  redLHibled  his  vitjilence  in 
measures  to  maintain  order  within  his  own  borders. 


The   \'avvoclL's  'Iiiuniph. 


175 


hcincr  f'T  til 


.nrpdsf  iu<-ossarilv  imi 


icli  aw.'n    ft' itn 


lis  ca 
At 


•tU',  in  distant  parts  of  the  iirincii>al 


Wu'Z 


til. 


)ne  (.'vcmn;^'  an  aniu"!  ] 


lart  V 


was  sct-n 


tmni 


til 


ain'ri  laclun;. 
straii^ht  fur  the  cast! 


lillKl 

(la\  s 


;!'U 


wrst  at  .L;rial  sjn'otl,  riiliii.t.' 
lies  at  which  tlicv  w<tc  suon 
larKv,  —  for  in   tlmsc 


After  S'lnu 


the    111 


(llU 


no 


)rs  tor  straiiL,H'rs.  a- 


t    rcadilv    throw    oiumi    tluir 
it  ofu-n  hapiH'iUM!  that   (.v,  n 


one's    nearest    nei; 


:hl 


.or    wonM    arrive 


line 


qieelC' 


UDon 


anvthint:   hut    a    frieii 


who  was 


at  I 


loine,  conimandei 


llv    \i-it. — the    Xawoile, 
1  the  (Iraw-hridi^e 


l(.\\ere.l,     stanilin^     ready     meant  iine     wul 


to  1, 


^ex  eral 


chosen  tollowers 


the  harhiean,  to  take  ininiediatc 


lis  ])re- 


action  upon  the  shi^Mitesl  hint  ot  treaeiieix. 
cautions,  however,  prove  unnecess;irv,  for  thoir^di  the 
knight  who  led  the  party  lia'i  douhtless  ai  tin.es 
drawn  sword  in  oi>])osition  to  the  Transylvaiiiaii 
])rince.  he  was  now  clearly  upon  friendly  mission  bent, 
lie  was,  in  fact,  C(Mne  to  crave  assistance,  and  aite/ 
but  scant  refreshment,  made  haste  to  make  known 
his  err.and  to  the  \  ayvode. 

in  brief,  the  position  of  the  Hun<;;-rian  nol,les  had 
become  well-ni.dit  desperate.  After  the  first  panic, 
caused  by  the  risinp^  of  the  peasants,  was  jiast,  th' v 
h.id  gathered  together  an  army  and  soU£;ht  10  oj.posc 
the  march  of  iJozsa;  but  their  forces  went  down  like 
chafT  before  the  fierce  o,islaui,-ht  of  his  de-iurate 
hordes,  who.  not  content  with  slayint;-  tlieir  foes  upon 
the  battle  field,  were  now  overrunini;  tlie  wliok-  land, 
destrovim.^  and  burn  in-  at  will,  wliile  all  wlio  fell  into 


176 


]zc)Idc; 


i\ 


tlu'ir  imirdtTous  hainK  •iiiickly  met  a  criKl  deatli. 
Strplicii  'l\lij^i(l\ .  llu-  'III  a^i'.rir.  ami  tlu-  llisliop  of 
Csanad  wore  aimiMi^-  ilu'  latt"-l  vKtiiii^  i)t  tlicir  firml- 
isli  \\\>i  lor  lilixxl.  Iiiilci'l,  it  wa-.  oiiIn  Ii\  ronstaiitly 
Itfiliiij^  this  saii^uiiiar\  a]i]ictitL',  that  Dozsa  cmild  at 
all  ki'cj)  any  control  of  his  niotk-y  following,  and  his 
latest  ni(jvc  had  been  to  lay  sie^e  to  Teniesvar. 

"In  this  dire  extremity.  *  >.  i'rince."  the  emissary 
concluded,  "the  most  illiistrions  C'onu  s  of  Tenus  has 
sint  me  to  cra\e  the  aid  of  such  a  renowned  soMier 
as  the  \  ayvode  of  Transylvania,  and  he  has  all  con- 
lidiiice  that  in  liiis  hour  of  our  lluns^ary's  need,  you 
wdi  maj^naniniously  lay  asiile  ail  thouj^dit  of  jirivate 
(|u.irrils  and  haste  with  such  force  as  you  can  com- 
mand to  the  aid  of  our  most  sorely  jjressed  forces; 
and  he  doth  solemnly  piedt^e  himself  and  for  his  as- 
sociates, that  loyal  sujjport  will  he  t^iveii  you  in  what- 
ever nuasures  you  may  deem  Dest  lor  the  safety  of 
the   kiiiL^dom." 

Szapolyai  did  not  at  once  make  answer,  hut  sat  'is 
thoujjh  in  dee])  thought,  a  faint  smile  of  triumi)h. 
wh'ch  only  tliose  who  knew  him  well  could  detect, 
lurkinjj;  the  while  in  his  otherwise  imperturhahle 
countenance.  At  lenj^th  rousint^  himself,  he  hrouijht 
the  interview  to  an  ahru])t  close,  telling  the  envoy 
that  he  would  j^ive  him  his  answer  in  the  morniufj. 
As  the  knif^l  withdrew,  he  rubbeil  his  hands  glee- 
fully, saying,  half  aloud: 

"At  las'!  Truly  mv  judgment  has  jiroved  correct, 
and  m\  |)atienc..-  is  duly  rewarded.  Right  closely  will 
1  hold  this  i)roud  Comes  to  his  undertaking,  when 


Thf   \';i\  Node's   Triumph. 


I 


/  / 


imce  tlii^  piMsant  raliMi-  shall  lia\i'  \)vcn  (lisiHT-o'l. 
Also,  WL'  siiall  sc'f  wlutlKT  riadislau.s  will  still  dan' 
forhiil  tho  alliance  "i  Ins  d.  uc'ilir  to  tlic  son  of  the 
oiiK  priiioc  capahk'  ol  maintaiiiiu},'  <'r(lrr  in  his  kin;,' 
iloni;"  and,  loapini;  to  his  li-rt.  he  imnu'diately  si't 
about  his  i)ro])arations  for  marching,'  to  tlu-  succor  of 
'I'oincsvar ;  for  tho\i^di  lie  had  ilrfcrred  annouiiciui,' 
his  (Ucision  until  the  niorrou.  it  had  in  reality  been 
taken  loiii,'  i-rc  the  niesseUL^er  had  Ceased  siieakiuf^. 

in  a  wcck's  time  the  \  ayvode  was  ready  to  set  out 
with  a  stroii;,'^  Ixulv  o''  well-e<|uii)i)ed  troops  at  liis 
hack,  and  Micliail  Dohozy  ijladly  acconi|)anied  luni, 
for  he  had  hecoiue  ^lavely  anxious  for  the  safety  of 
his  father  and  sister,  not  knowing,'  whether  or  not 
.Marot  had  been  attacked  and  taken  by  the  all-victori- 
ous rebels.  The  S])aniard  was  not.  however,  to  be  of 
the  i)artv.  havintj.  at  his  host's  recpiest.  ai^'reed  to  re- 
main behind  to  loijk  to  the  safety  of  liis  daui^hter, 
loamia.  who.  later  on.  when  the  country  had  become 
somewhat  more  settled,  lie  was  to  escort  to  IWila. 
Tiie  idea  of  this  man's  beini,'  left  under  the  same  roof 
with  Izolda.  now  entirely  alone  and  unprotected,  did 
not  please  Michael.  Init  he  was  ])owerless  to  prevent. 
With  no  unnecessary  delay,  the  Transylvanian 
ruler  led  his  troo].s  to  the  relief  of  the  hard  pressed 
jarrison  of  'Peniesvar,  and.  with  such  reinforcements 
;:s  the  rallyintj  forces  of  the  nol)!es  brouj^ht  to  his 
,iid.  he  was  soon  in  readiness  to  <,Mve  battle  to  Dozsa 
;ind  his  army.  Tliis  time  it  was  the  peasants  who 
met  with  utter  defeat.  Their  undisciplined  forces 
were  broken  and  scattered,  while  all  tlieir  leaders,  in- 
12 


i 


178 


Izolda. 


clu.lini,'    D.'«/-a.    found    thmi-i.  l\i-    piis<'iKT>    m    llie 
liaiKl"-  tif  the  victors. 

'\'hv  peasant  rebellion  was  at  an  end.  l>ut  not  un- 
til the  soil  of   Iluujjjary  had  heen  drench.ed  with  the 
Mood  of  tlflv  thousand  of  Iter  inhahilants.  and  the  end 
of  its  horrors  had  not   \.t   come.     S/.apolvai,  as  tiie 
savior  of  the  nohility.  was  now  all  paramount  in  their 
counsels,  and  with  no  merciful  hand  i>roceeded  to  ex- 
ecute jud.Lrment    u|.on  the   uniortnnate   captives   who 
had  led  the  il!--tarred  ^tru-.-le  for  lihertv.     .\>  a  i^re- 
liminarv,    (',re-or>     I)/./~a.    hrother    of    th.e    j.easant 
commander,  was  beheaded,  while  the  rem.-iimUr  were 
thrown  like  r;its  into  i.ri--ii  ;md  left  to  live  or  <li^('  as 
they  mit^ht,  all  nourishment  l.ein.L;  denied  them.     This 
id.-in    in. .St    effectively    li-htened    the    labors    ..f    the 
farcical   tribunal,    wliich    s.MUe   da\s   Inter   undert<iok 
the  task  of  tr\in,L;  the  survivors,  who,  by  th;U   tune, 
were  reduce."  t..  but  a  h:indlu!.     These  few  unfortun- 
ates were  bhurlly  de^i-alchcd  with  iulmman  cruelties. 


% 


CHAl'TRR    Wl. 


Die  GALi.'s  ri;vi:ni.i;. 

Miiinwliilc,   how    far<.<l    it    wiili    IzoMa^     Slu-   lia-l 

will)  the  keenest  anxiety  watched  tlie  ilepartnre  >>\  the 

.-innr.l  haiKl^  of  tlie  \'avv.)ile.  whieli.  th.m-h  iimie  1..I  1 

Ii,T,    she    knew   all    too   well    must    he   destlluV,   to   .1) 

battle  against  her  father.     She  al^,  knew  that  Michael 

l),,l.ozy   had   accompanied   the    force   and    while    '^he 

|,raved   •".o-l   for  the   protection   and   safe   deliverance 

of  her  father  from  the  hands  of  his  eiunnes,  she  fell 

constrained  to  al-o  add  a  petition  for  the  safety  of 

the    one    she    so   hopelessly    l.)ved.    and    that    <lisasUT 

mi,i,dit  not  come  ui>on  the  cause  he  held  just.      It  by 

no    means    lessened    her    anxieiv    to    hn-l    that     Don 

C'ardenio  was  still  an  inmate  of  the  ca-tle.  of  which 

fact   she   was  ere  \owr  most  unpleasantly   reminded. 

'idle  mornint^  f(jllowin|Lr  the  dei)arture  of  the  little 
armv,  she  hail  asconde<1  to  the  top  of  the  keep  and 
stood  lookino  over  the  battlements  at  the  i^lorious 
y\an(^rama,  which  stretcheil  out  for  miles  to  the  view. 
rpou  every  side  rose  hii^di  mountains  on  who^e 
ruijoed  si<les  clun,^  thick  tjrowths  of  underbru-h, 
while  trreat  forests  of  tall  trees  covered  the  lower 
.slopes  and  valleys.  TTerc  and  there  in  the  distance, 
standintr  sentinel-like  upon  some  high  crag,  a  tall 
'^  179 


MICROCOPY    RESOLUTION    TEST    CHART 

ANSI  ond  ISO  TEST  CHART  No    2 


1.0 


I.I 


1-. 


128 


.     13.2 


li3  6 


2.5 


IIM     ll  2.2 


2.0 


1.8 


1.25 


1.4 


1.6 


A  -^PPLIEJ  MAGB     inc 

^^  -  -  J    Eobt    Main    Street 

r-=  ■    -hester.    New    rorK         14609        ubA 

-=  -6)    *82  -  0300  -  Phone 


!JI 


I  80 


Izolda, 


bare  trunk  wlilcli  liad  l>ocn  hlastod  l>y  the  li-litnin- 
of  sonic  siunnK-rV  storm,  fornKil  plcasin--  contrast  to 
llie  Icafv  nuviads  aromul.  and  not  a  tew  cUare(l 
si)aces  Could  lie  seen,  covered  witli  yellow  wavinijj 
"•rain  awaiting:  the  lliru'-tiML:  in  of  the  sickle.  All  lay 
in  smilini,^  ])eacefulness.  a  marked  contrast  to  tlio-^e 
other  re.t,nons  of  the  same  kingdom  beyond  the  moun- 
tains, where  man's  unbridled  passions  had  trans- 
formed an  earthly  i)aradise  into  a  wilderness  of  rum, 
and  where  there  was  indecil  wailint:  and  i;nashm^' 
of  teetli. — a  viritable  place  of  the  lost. 

The  maiden  stood  absorbed  in  thou.qlit.  but  could 
we  have  read  what  was  i)assin,Li  in  her  mind,  we  would 
tuid  that  it  was  not  the  artistic  si^l'Midor  of  he  view 
which  now  was  ui)permost. — in  fact  she  could  scarce 
be  sai<l  to  see  that  which  her  e\es  rested  upon; — 
instead  lier  thou,i.,dUs  wire  busy  with  conjeciure  as 
to  what  was  takin--  i^lace  bevond  those  far  ofT  western 
peaks,  which  reare<l  their  hei-hts  as  thou,L;h  deter- 
mineil  to  shut  off  forever  all  connnunication  with  the 
world  bev.)nd.  She,  the  while,  riveted  lier  eyes  upon 
them  as  thou-li  she  would  pierce  their  hu,:;e  bulk  and 
di-<cern  what  lay  upon  the  farther  side.  In  the  midst 
of  her  deei)  reverie,  she  was  start.led  by  a  voice  at 
li^T  ,_.il„,\v— a  voice  not  strange,  and  which  spoke  in 
soft  accent,  in  which,  h<nvever,  the  hearer  tiuickly 
detected  veile<l  menace,  even  as  the  velvet  ])aw  -f  the 
cat   but   hides  the  claw  as  she  tantalizes  the  captive 

mouse. 

"The  mornin^''s  <;reetini:s  to  thee,  fair   f/olda.     T 
perceive  that  you  dcliglil  to  indul;;e  the  artistic  taste 


De  Gaul's   Revenge. 


i8i 


bv  close  scrutiny  of  this  (kli.L,^htful  landscape.  Art 
tlu-u  also  a  inii)il  of  the  great  masters  or  is  it  hut 
the  acfjuircd  taste,  horn  of  coininunion  with  a  kindred 
si)irit?"  The  last  words  were  spoken  with  em])hasis 
l)v  the  Spaniard,  who  ineanwhik-  directed  a  malicious 
look  full  in  the  face  of  the  distressed  maiden,  as  she 
slowlv  turned  her  head  to  see  the  intruder.  She 
made  no  response  to  his  greeting  or  insinuating  in- 
(|nirv,  hut  gazed  at  him  in  a  sort  of  shrinking  terror, 
\  hich  highly  annised  her  tormeiUor. 

"vome.  mv  f.iir  one,"  he  cftutinned.  "look  not  so 
fnrlorn.     'Tis  the  fashiem  of  our  fair  ladies  of  Castile, 
when  their  cavaliers  go  forth  to  the  hattie,  to  while 
away  liie  time  of  waiting  for  their  return,  in  light 
pleasure  with  such  less  fortunate  ones  as  remain  he- 
hind,  returning  to  their  allegiance  when  their  right- 
ful  lord   api)ear;  or,   if  the   fortunes   of  war  permit 
it  ne)t.  then  are  they  already  furnished  witli  his  sub- 
stitute, and  have  no  need  to  spend  time  in  useless 
tears    at    his   untimely   end.     Why    not    foIle)W    such 
illustrious  exami)le,  sweet  Izolda,  and  permit  me  to 
otTer   mvself  as   the   humble   representative   of  your 
artist    knight,   while    the   time    hangs   heavily?     The 
task  will  be  far  from  a  displeasing  one  to  me.  and  1 
will  devote  myself  most  loyally  to  it.     Am  I  permitted 
a  caress?"  and  he  took  a  stei^  nearer.     The  girl  drew 
back,  and  her  previous  timidity  seemed  all  to  vanish 
in  the  strong  indignation  which  possessed  her.  while 
the  high  spirit  <if  the  Mag\ar  race  made  itself  manifest 
as  the  hot  blood  monnted  t..  h<T  face  and  forehead. 


"Touch  me  n.'l 


slie   crieil. 


"\nu  know  full  well 


'1/ 


■f     ,     I 

f  I 


iSj 


I/olda 


that  I  am  but  a  siini)lc  i)ta'>ant  maid  and  know  nant;lit 
of  nohk'  IdViTs,  and  vnu  d<>  l)Ut  ^t^ivL'  to  ])lay  u  illi 
mc,  wliii  am  alnno  and  uni>r(iti'Ctfd.  C'nmr  n<it  near 
me,  but  i^n  and  sitk  xnnr  ])lra>nrr  in  nn  irc  t'lttini; 
c<>m]ian\ ." 

(anKiiio  lanirlicd  maliricnslv,  tlirn  chaniLrcd  his 
tactic^  and  >i)(il;.'  a^ain  in  hi>  S'iftc-t  and  must  jilt- 
suasi\c  tnnt-^. 

"  Hoar  vAc  now,  Izo!d;i  and  lie  not  so  ani^ry  with 
mc,  whoM'  onK  ciinif  lie'-  in  lieini^'  ra\i'-hLd  liy  thv 
sweet  j^aace.  If  it  is  inde^'d  true  that  lie  wlio  has 
S'l  sliorllv  dejiarled  is  not  a  lovcr,  tlien  iHrhai)s  }ou 
will  the  more  readilv  listen  nnto  me.  ^'o^1^  most 
])eauteons  faci'  and  form  did  ea|)livate  my  heart  c!i- 
tireh',  v.hen  first  I  i^Mzed  u]>on  such  loveliness,  and 
1  do  ])ine  for  love  of  vou.  My  maimer  of  wooins^  mav 
have  seemed  roni^h  and  rmle  to  yon  hut  remember 
that  I  am  a  straiiijer  here  and  umlerstaiid  not  the 
wa\"s  of  the  i  [nn.L;arian  maidens.  Wilt  forj;'i\' ■  me, 
au'l  bestow  upeni  me  at  least  oiu'  i^lanot'  of  th\   favor.-'  " 

"  I  am  but  a  sini]de  maid.  Sir  Spaniard,  and  know 
!iani,du  of  sue!)  matters;  but  if  I  have  at  all  found 
favor  with  \i)u,  _qrant  me  the  boon  that  you  now 
leave  me.  and  do  not.  \  I»ra\'  \on,  trouble  further  your 
tiion.niits  about  a  jxior  i)easant  t^irl," 

"  Xot  so,"  jiersisted  he,  "  I  mueh  doubt  me  that 
those  dark  e\ cs  are  all  so  innocent  as  yon  would  ha\'c 
it.  ami  if  !  knew  b',!t  m.>re  of  the  manners  of  your 
countr\'.  my  task  niii,dU  be  the  easier,  ('onie,  receive 
mc  as  vour  lover,  and  prate  no  more  of  low  and  hiph 
estate.     I  knuw  tliat,  if  report  be  true,  the  maid  whose 


I 


vif.. 


De   Gaul's   Revenge. 


i«J 


name  von  bear  sc.;.re<l  e'en  ^m  hi-h  in  lier  aninurs,  as 
to  have  a  royal  l^xcr.  I'-ul  lie  was  alter  all  r:-t 
f^entle  b.^rn.  while  1  iMrsonili,  can  iM.a^t  the  proudest 
blood  of  a  Ion-  line  of  pnre  Ca-tilians  ;  thou-h  what 
(litYerence  that  need  make  uiih  ■  .i  '  pa^sin-'  pleasure, 
I  i)erceive  not."     And  a.-ain  he  ma  le  a  >tep  toward 

her, 

Izolda  spran-  out  of  his  reach,  while  the  red  bioorl 
mounted  to  her  cheeks  and  >he  drew  herself  up 
liroudlv,  an<l  with  cler.ched  hands  and  llashins^'  eyes 
lo,,ked  with  -itniMst  c.)ntemi>l  upon  the  .irallant  before 

her. 

"Leave  me.  thou  shameless  bra,L,'-ari.  and  trouble 
me  with  no  more  of  such  base  wooin-.  My 
-randame's  love  was  at  least  pure,  and  he  upon  wlv.in 
she  bestowed  it  held  her  in  all  honor,  such  as  thou,  it 
would  seem,  know  nothin;^  <if.  .\wav,  I  say.  for  thy 
verv  presence  does  jxillnte  the  air. 

Don  Cardenio  -touikI  his  tc.-th  in  ra^e.  while  the 
j.icture  presented  by  the  resolute  and  indiirnant  maid 
served  but  to  fan  his  passion  ;  but  he  controiled  him- 
self to  arrrue  yet  at;ain. 

"Consider  a  moment  before  you  tempt  me  too  far. 
There  is  none  here  to  aid  you  and  did  1  so  doire 
force  mifjht  readily  accomplish  that  which  vou  so 
foolishly  deny.  C^nce  more  T  pray  you,  l)e  kind  to 
me,  and  1  swear  to  be  also  kind  to  you." 
A  scornful  laui;h  burst  from  lier  lips. 
"Vou  speak  truly,  that  I  am  all  unaided,  else  such 
a  coward  as  you  would  not  be  here  to  torment  me. 
I  would  that  mv  father's  stroni;  arm,  instea<l  (jf  being 


iS4 


Izolda. 


\virl(lt.'(l  t'.ir  liJN  ijrasant>,  uirr  Imt  hcri'  for  a  moment. 
\\i-  WDuld  ■~I)aki.'  \<'i.x  \\\<v  a  do^-  dotli  a  rat  or  other 
viTiiiiii,  and  in  truth,  if  lie  lias  f' mnd  our  llun^ariati 
nobles  to  ))(.■  Mich  as  \ou,  lie  doth  well  to  rid  the 
kin<4i|oni  of  so  niaii>.  lUit  think  not  that  I  am  all 
hel|)less,  hi'eau^t'  .d'Mie;  foi  sooner  than  suhniit  to 
one  caress.  1  :\:\\  -|nini.;  fruni  the  hattU-nients,  into 
the  nioat  beneath.      Now  \-eril\   do  I  speal;  truth."' 

(  hie  ;;lanee  at  that  drtcrniiiied  li^^ure  was  sufficient 
to  satisfy  that  she  wiuild  proN'e  true  to  her  word,  and 
for  a  luemient  the  batlU  1  C'astilian  was  tein|>ted  to 
l)Ut  her  to  the  test  ;  but  her  rtderence  to  her  father 
had  yiven  him  a  new  thoUij;^ht,  and  his  anger  subsided 
as  lie  floated  o\er  it. 

".\s  \()U  will,  rash  maid,"  he  said.  "Xot  \nn<^  hence 
you  will  rue  the  day  that  on  listened  not.  when  I 
spake  you  fair,  and  the  father  of  whom  yon  now 
l)oast  will  curse  the  daut^hter  wlio  forbore  to  use  her 
charms  to  purchase  his  escape  from  cruel  death.  For 
know  you,  that  I  will  yet  control  his  fate.  ( )nce 
more.  I  ask  you.  shall  I  i,n)  or  sta\  ?" 

■■(  io,  j.;oI"  w.'is  her  promjit  resjionse.  thoui^h  as  he 
turned  and  left  the  turret,  she  wondereil  much  what 
this  mysterious  reference  to  her  father  miijht  mean. 
Was  it  but  empty  boast,  or  had  he  auti^ht  of  authority 
for  what  he  s|)akei^  Turning:  her  face  once  more 
toward  the  mountains,  the  well-niL,di  distracted  jijirl 
stretched  out  her  arms  in  mute  ai)peal  as  thoupli  im- 
plorint;  those  silent  witnesses  to  take  her  and  hide 
her  from  her  sorrows  in  their  deep  recesses. 

Another  week  ueiil   duuly  by,  ijurinj.;  which  [;^olda 


l)c  (<;uirs   Revenge. 


i>\^ 


to  luT  '^Ti-vA  ri-iicf  saw  iiotliiiii;  ni  the  Spaniard,  who 
iiRantiinc  was  <lev.>tiiii,'  lii^  attriitiMn  i..  tin-  La.l\- 
Joanna :  and  now,  having'  rrctived  as^nranec  that  tliev 
niij^dit  travel  in  safety,  a^  ihr  ^raI'^\  1\  anian  torrid 
lay  hrtwriMi  their  routi-  and  the  rehcl  hordes,  he  made 
])re]>aration>  to  dejKirt  for  I'tida.  and  I)o/sa'> 
daughter,  to  her  surj.ri>e.  was  told  she  must  accom- 
pany them,  Inder  a  small  e-cort  headed  hv 
Cardenio,  they  accordin.gly  set  forth  and  naclu'(l  the 
capital  without  adventure.  Here  iiavins;  e-tahlidied 
liis  char<:e  in  safe  (piarters.  the  .Spaniard  learned  of 
Szapclvai's  i.;reat  victory  over  the  rebels,  and  at  once 
.set  out  to  join  the  army.  >till  keeping  the  unwillin.Ll 
l/.olda  in  his  train,  to  whom,  however,  he  deigued  not 
tr)  open  his  lips  durin.L,'  all  their  journeyini,'. 

F.re  long  thev  reached  the  victorious  army's  cami), 
and  having  secured  a  dilaiiidated  luu  in  which  to  con- 
fme  his  i)risoner.  de  ( iaul  went  imiuediatelv  to  inter- 
view the  X'ayvode.  who  w:ts  even  at  the  moment  in 
coimsel  with  the  nobles  concerning  the  fate  of  the 
few  iirisoners  who  survived  the  starvation  which  had 
proved  fatal  to  the  great  majoritv.  It  had  just  been 
decided  to  leave  them  to  the  same  cruel  fate,  which 
a  day  or  two's  longer  confinement  would  be  sure  to 
l)ring  them,  when  the  Spaniard  secured  the  ear  of 
Szapolvai  for  a  few  moments,  and  engaged  him  in 
earnest  conversation.  Shortlv  the  X'avvode  nodded 
an  assent  and  turning  to  his  companions  announced 
that  he  had  a  Ixlter  plan  for  ri<lding  them  of  the 
traitors.— (Hie  which  would  have  i^r.werfid  effect  in 
deterring   the   peasantry    from   any    further   rnitbrcak. 


1 86 


I/okhl. 


n 


ami  lortliwith  aciuainit'l  iIkiu  with  t!io  details  of  tlie 
I)rMiM,>iii(m,  which  ilc  <iau!  had  jii-t  su--i4L-ted  to  him. 
All  j^avi'  a->viit,  tliMii.L;]!  iil'Tc  than  one  -hndiK-rcd  as 
lie  li>tened. 

Straight  from  the  .■oimcil  t.-m.  the  Sjianiard  hurried 
haek  to  l/olda'>  iiri>o!i.  and  entered  to  liavt'  ^peeeli 
with  her.  .\tter  reL^ardin-'  her  fixedly  f' >r  a  leW 
moments  in  silence,  he  --aid. 

■■\  eome  to  a'.:;!in  otY.  r  >  on  care-ses,  O  sweet 
Izold.i;  ;ind  with  tlu  m  I  olTer  >n'di  a  h-on  a^  it  falls 
lint  to  the  I.  1  of  every  lover  to  liest,,w.  Know  that 
I  ]v.\yc  i.owir  to  i^meure  the  release  of  thy  latlier, 
('■eor^e  l')o/sa,  thon.ijh  he  has  heeii  condemned  to 
death  f.  .r  his  ^riines.  W  ill  that  not  temi)t  yon  to  re- 
ceive me  into  thosc>  Lively  arms." 

The  jioor  -irl  at  fir-t  knew  not  wdiat  to  say,  hut 
in  a  moment  answt.'red  sadly. 

"If  indeed  }  mu  have  this  power,  he  merciinl.  f  Jiray 
you.  and  allow  not  the  innocent  to  suffer.  I'or  nnio- 
cent  is  he  of  an-ht  hm  desire  to  help  hi-  fellow  men. 
Do  so.  and  thon;..:ii  I  cannot  i^ive  \n\\  love,  \  et  would 
1  -jladlv  he  your  slave  and  will  revere  your  name 
alwa_\  s." 

•'Xot  so,"'  came  the  ipiick  resiionse.  "T  pose  not  as 
a  kniL;ht-errant,  and  desire  not  reverence.  Tis  the 
reward  > 'f  pleasin-es  with  thee  that  1  do  crave.  Make 
choice  (juickly.  It  is  /(/'(■  or  (h\it!i.'"  and  he  laid  cruel 
emplia-i--  upon  tln'se  two  W'irds. 

.\L,'ain  tlu'  m-dd.cu  strove  to  move  him  with  eir- 
trcalies,  hut  he  would  none  »-)f  il  and  still  pressed  for 


I 


Df  (iaul's    Ktvcncc. 


187 


answt-r  I.)  liis  tmn-,  an.l  at  la>l  >..l)l)in!;-  as  she  >i"ik(.', 
these   ndliir   W'T.!-   wrrc   lUtcrcMl. 

••To  iin  I'l-a'vr  latlur.  1  kn'>\v  full  well  thai  th<^ 
honnr  (.1  hi>  diiM  i-  lar  nior-  i.r>'ci.>u>  than  his  liir. 
an.l  lli"U-h  1  wm'.l  i:la.!lv  .lir  f.  t  him,  yc-t  will  I  inaki' 
the  ch.  .ice  1  kn...'.  that  he  wmiM  hi-l  ;  an.l  -^ince  y.m 
,,.jlll,avei'.— I>eath!yes.  Death!  I  >ay.-  An.l  <>nee 
,n..re  K  ft  al..r,e.  the  rebel  lea.kr's  forlorn  cliild  u,nk 
r(.  tULTe  .>n  her  knees. 

I-.,r  tWM  ,,r  three  h.nir-^.  T/oMa  was  ah.ne  with  her 
hitter  thou-hts.  then  t.i  her  sur^ri-e  Car.leni..  a-ani 
presente.l  himself  hei..re  her.  She.  calmer  n.uv. 
waite.l  in  .hill  .le^pair  \n  hear  what  fresh  t..rtnre  he 
lui.l  cime  t..  inllict,  th..n-h,  in  spite  ..f  her-^elf.  she 
c.niM  n.it  resi>t  the  tlum-lit  that  in  his  return  there 
nn-ht  he  perha].^  s.)me  rav  ,.f  hope.  He  entere.l 
(luiellv  and  the  tone  in  which  he  a.Mres-^e.l  her  was 
i;,  marke.l  c.-ntra-t  to  that  which  he  ha.l  at  other 
tinus  em]ilo>e(l, 

•  Iz.)l.la,  1  come  to  crave  f..r.>';iveness  f.ir  the  wroiiL; 
which  I  have  done  y..u  an.l  f.>r  tormentin-  y.>u  so 
cruellv,  when  siieakin-  of  that  l.rave  s,>l,lier  y.nir 
father,  an.l  my  only  excuse,-th..n-h  I  press  it  n.n  — 
must  he  that  1  wa-  hereft  ..f  reas.m  thr..u,L;h  ;.ive  of 
thee  ;  hut  1  am  now  hai)pily  come  \n  inv  senses  ai^ain. 
When  1  last  went  fr..m  this  jilace.  1  felt  I  couM  iDt 
let  V..U  live  to  he>l.)w  a  cares^  up.-n  any  other,  an.l 
swore  lastiii-  venL;eance  a-ainsl  > .  .u  an.l  all  y.'U 
loved;  hut  as  I  i^rew  calmer  an.l  th.)U,uht  m  o»'\ 
blood  of  the  crime  I  was  determine.l  to  all.)W  t.)  he 


'1^ 


i  : 


i88 


I/.)Klii. 


C(>niinittt.'<l,  I  Mxni  knew  tli.it  I  wouM  imU'cil  he  the 
nuisi  ini^cTalilf  of  tiicn,  di'l  I  |ifnnil  lianii  to  i-oiiir  to 
such  a  nolilr  patriot  a>  (".corm.'  Duzsa.  I  accor(Hiij,'!y 
visited  ihr  \a\\o<U',  ami  .iiii  (.-onu-  to  tell  you  that 
even  now  the  t'allur  \  ou  love  >o  well  is  heiti^'  released 
from  his  prison.  I'or  this  '  a-.k  no  reward,  hut  that 
you  will  now  have  taith  in  the  ^ineerity  of  my  love 
even  thoui;h  \  on  eoiitinnr  to  spurn  it. 

Tiie  astonishid  maiden  eoidd  at  Cirsl  scarce  helieve 
her  ears  ■  then,  as  she  grasped  the  iin])!  irt  of  hi^  words, 
she  hur^t  into  tears  of  joy  and  hetweeii  her  sohs 
Strove  to  pour  out  lier  thanks  to  the  kind  benefactor 
whoiu  slie  ha<l  so  misjudi::ed. 

•■p.ut  where  is  he?'"  she  cried.  "Will  he  come  hither, 
or  nnist  i  }j:o  to  him;-'  Oh  the  joy  of  seeing:;  his  dear 
face  once  more  I" 

'"If  you  will  permit.  I  will  even  now  lead  you  to 
lu'm,"  was  the  response. 

For  answer  she  strode  to  the  door,  and  together 
they  passed  through  the  caiu])  and  made  for  the  o])en 
space  in  the  center  toward  which  at  the  same  time 
manv  could  he  seen  pressinj^  their  way,  and  where  a 
great  concourse  had  already  leathered.  .\s  they 
reached  the  outer  ranks  of  the  multitude,  de  Gaul 
aiUhf)ritatively  called  upon  all  to  make  way,  and  as 
some  hastened  not  to  obey,  he  cried  aloud. 

"Make  way.  Way.  T  say,  for  the  daughter  of 
Dozsa !" 

.At  this  all  looked  with  interest,  and  a  wide  avemie 
was  (piicklv  ojiened  for  their  iirogrc^s,  and  as  they 
pressed  within  the  circle  they  found  them.-elves  close 


De  Gavil's   Revenge. 


189 


l„.si,l,.  tho  Vayvo,K-  an.i  -tlur  Ua.liTS  of  tin-  troops. 
At  that  moniciU  a  ^rcat  ^hcut  wriit  iiji  from  the  as- 
seinl)le<l  crowds,  and  all  i>r^  vv^rr  -lirected  toward  a 
^rroup  of  straiiiio  W^xm-^,  who  jusl  tlu-n  enterrd  the 
open  si>ace  from  tliv  farther  side. 

Sonied,,zenluimanlKin^'>,  k^aunt  and  hollow  ev.-d. 
in  ra-s  almost  lo  nakedness,  the  <kin  han-in,i;  loosely 
upon'their  hones,  some  tottering'  from  weakness  as 
this  moved  alon-.uhile  at  tluir  lu-ad  was  one  tall  and 
more  eomman.lin-  than  th     rest,  who  strode  hrndy 
and  i)roudlv.  (lesi)ite  his  evident  weakness.      <  )n  h.ni. 
all  eves  wc'n-  eetitere-l.  and  with  them  Izolda's.  who, 
as  thev  rested  there,  cried  alondi-'My  father!"  and 
would' ha^e  tlown  to  meet  him:  hnt  both  her  hands 
were  seized  in  an  iron  srip-  an<l  all  her  efforts  to  tree 
herself  were  vain.     Carin-  not  to  learn  who  had  thus 
made  her   i.risoner.   she   sto-.d   f,Mzin^'  at    the   wreck 
,,f  her  loved  father,  as  with  his  companions  he  made 
his  wav  across  the   openin-.  and   as   he  .lid   so   she 
betran  to  be  conscious  of  ..ther  objects  m  that   en- 
cloMtre.     Close    beside    Szapolyai    was    a    rn<le    .ron 
structure  in  the  semblance  of  a  throne,  heated  to  red- 
ness bv  a  fierce  fire  which  burned  beneath,  whde  all 
about 'stood   a  strong  k^nard  of  soldiers  and  others 
pressed  closelv  up  to  the  wretched  pnsnuers.    .\t  once 
it   flashe.l  acn.ss  the  poor  ^WVs  brain  that   she  ha-l 
been  be-uiled  hither  to  witness  the  executH.n  of  her 
love<l  .^nc.  and  becoming  a-ain  conscious  ot  the  pain 
in  lur  wrists  from  the  fierce  t^rasp  ot  the  one  who 
still  held  lu-r.  she  turned  for  a  moment  to  encounter 
the  cruel  t;aze  of  the  Spaniai 


wlio  stood  gloating  m 


(I 


!.  ' 


190 


I/()lJ,i. 


triiimi>li  M\ii-  Ills  viL-tim,  uliik'  lu'  luld  her  >t.'cun.l>  to 
j^uanl  .-ii^'ain-t   cscaiic. 

■•|Ia."  In-  lti--c,l  in  !ut  car.  "I'l'l  I  ii"t  tell  v.m 
that  \.iur  tatlur  ua-^  rrlcasc*! ?  Aii'l  i  rv  ii.aiiv 
minutrs,  In^  -.ul  will  al-,  lu-  rolcasvl  fr^m  that  iin- 
l(j\(.l\  liM.h  aii'l  -.1  lo  iiuft  it"-  ju-^t  (K-mti^."  Au'l 
hv  tixrd  uiK.ii  lu  r  -iR-h  a  look  of  (lialnilii-al  hate  as  siie 
lilt  imi^t  haunt  lu  r  niili!  lu  r  dxiu.L;  hour.  'rnrniiiL,' 
(Hiicklv  auav  uiilumt  rc-~pi  Jii-r.  she  sihoi  lieeanie  un- 
eMiiseidUs  <>t  all  >avf  the  dreailliil  tra.i^edy  which  was 
lu  >u-  heiuL^  eiiaett'il  IkI'Ti'  Iut. 

The  captives  had  iu)\v  reached  a  spot  iniine<liately 
in  front  nf  the  nohk'S  and  were  here  l)r'HiL;ht  t'(  a 
stand,  while  an  officer  dI  the  L':iiard>  stepj'ed  fi)rth, 
and  fir.-t  salutin<,'  the  X'ayvoile.  tlui^  aildre^.-ed  the 
rehel  chief. 

"(jeor^e  l)i')zsa,  voii  have  in  sacrileL,Mi>us  revolt. 
soii.i,dit  to  overturn  the  throne  of  our  I  I^nv^^-^rian 
monarch,  hut  have,  fortunatel)  U<r  this  fair  kinj^doni, 
failed.  The  jud^-es.  therefore,  who  have,  hy  our 
nohle  KiuLT  Idadislaus,  been  ai)pointed  to  nu'te  out 
pUTiishnient  for  the  crimes  conimitti'<l  a;j:ainst  him. 
have  mercifully  decided  that  it  were  wise  to  i,nve  yni 
and  \our  fellow  cons])irators,  also  any  who  would 
emulate  vou.  sure  evidence  that  the  royal  scat  is  not 
so  readilv  overtm-ned,  and  al<o  to  !_:"r'itify.  e\en  it  it 
he  hut  in  the  hour  of  death,  the  amhition  which  you 
have  doubtless  nur>ed,  to  hnd  yourself  enthroned. 
Have  y(ni  au,<,du  to  say  in  j.;ratinulc  f')r  tliese  hon- 
ejrs  ?" 

Dozsa  maintaiueil  an  impassible  silence,  observing 


De  (iiiul's    Kcvcnge. 


lyi 


^^hicll.  the  officer  ^avo  a  si,,Mi  to  some  haU-aozon 
stout  ^nur.U.  ^vh^  sci.cl  hi,n  and  tln-'W  hun  upon 
,1,,  rol-h..t  strnclurr.  u!nl,   -ilurs  -Ircw  an  iron  ro.l 

(,,„n  ,lu   ,;l.w,nL;  coal^  an.l  l.r.s.ol  it  into  In.  han.ls. 

as  lit^  t'lnnrntc.r  C'.ntiiuK''l : 

•■Horc  vMu  have  that  outwara^Rn  <.t  authority, 
which  all  ruUrs  wield,— a  sceptre." 

Ti-,.-  rebel  cl.iel  Uttered  uo  crv  of  ,,ain  and  submit- 
ted all  nuresistiiv.dv  to  hi.  doom,  uhile  a  sickeniuir 
odor  of  burniuL,^  flesh  ueiit  u].  from  his  f.rture.l 
frame.  The  leader  -f  the  -uards  now  turned  hi>  at- 
tention to  the  remaining  cai)tives.  and  ciied  : 

-Now  jackal>.  ^mell  the  sweet  i.ertume  oi  roa^tm- 
nu-at  which  vour  stoiuach.  1  doubt  not.  have  craved 
for  these  ten  days  past.  Ibl,,  n.  .w  vourseves  before 
i,  is  uvenloue,  and  reme:uber  that  the  bull.Kk  is  he 
who  has  led  von  to  this  extremity." 

Thus  ..oa/led.  and  beside  themselves  with  famine 
the  ma.ldene.l  captives  sprang  uiMUt  their  leader,  and 
tearing;  his  t1esh  from  ..(T  his  b.mes.  sou-ht  to  eat  o 
it.     Then,  and  then  only,  did  Dozsa  open  his  hi-s  and 

exclaim:  .    .       ,.. 

••Hounds   verdv!    Yea.  and  of  mine  own  tramm-. 

l7,dda  meantime,  had  stood  transfixed  wuh  hor- 
ror a  -lumb  spectator  of  the  awful  scene,  and  now 
with  a  shriek  of  asony,  she  fell  senseless  at  the  feet 

of  her  f^eu.lish  persectttor.  who.  with  a  loud  lau-h 
spurne.l   her   with   hi.  ioot   as   .ho   fell,   an.l  turned 
carelessly  away. 


192 


Izolda. 


,*     i  ■' 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Tin;  riKsiiT. 


I   !'• 


'^\ 


'- 


On  tin-  (loft-at  of  the  peasantry,  Micliacl  Dohozy 
Inirrioil  to  Marot  to  ascertain  how  matters  fared 
tliere.  To  his  ^reat  rehef,  the  castk-  stood  uninjured 
thoujjh  he  learne<l  that  it  had  heeii  more  than  once 
tiireatened.  The  news  lie  received  witliin  was.  how- 
ever, not  so  favura!)le:  for  there  he  found  his  sister 
Anna  in  tears  and  inconsolahle  over  the  death  of  their 
father,  which  liad  taken  i)lace  some  three  weeks 
l)efore.  as  a  resuU  of  a  wound  received  in  llie  first 
conflict  between  rebels  and  nobles.  The  ynuuii  man 
strove  to  forget  his  own  sincere  i^rief  at  the  death 
of  his  loved  parent  in  endeavorin;.;  to  console  his 
sister,  and  in  the  assumption  of  other  resiionsibilities 
which  now  devolved  uinm  him  as  Comes  of  Marot. 

He  found  the  afiairs  of  his  estate  in  a  most  sorry 
plight.  Owing  to  the  troubles,  little  or  no  reaping 
had  been  done,  and  the  peasants"  cottages  were  for 
the  most  part  deserted,  thongli  here  and  there  he 
found  one  occupied  by  the  women  an<l  children,  half 
starved,  and  evidently  in  constant  ilre.id  of  >ome 
greater  evil  than  li;id  vet  befallen.  In  several  cases 
he  shrewdlv  suspected  thai  ihe  head  (^f  tlie  family 
was  not  far  off.  and  he  took  jiains  to  speak  as  con- 


The   Pursuit. 


19,1 


oilia(iiii;l\  as  jiossibli',  ami  to  assure  the  wife  that 
luT  luisliaiid  woulil  1)0  ,ula<l'-  welcomed  hack,  and  as 
far  as  In-  was  ahk',  iirotrctt.'  ironi  the  cnnscMiufiiccs 
(if  his  rash  conduct,  in  otlu  rs.  it  was  all  too  evident 
that  the  hread-winner  had  heen  slain  and  i)itilul  in- 
d(  >'d  was  it  to  observe  the  labored  attempts  to  ap- 
jiear  unconcerned  of  the  widow  and  orphans  at  his 
approach,  lest  they  shoidd  betray  their  sorrow  and  be 
drivtMi  out  for  their  connection  with  one  who  hail 
been  rebel  to  the  state.  To  all  these  Michael  strove 
to  show  that  he  was  a  friend  rather  than  an  enetnx, 
and  wished  no  better  than  that  the  mistakes  of  the 
past  be  forgotten  and  ft)rLriven  on  both  sides,  and 
that  a  fresh  start  be  made  in  the  roles  of  maslir  and 
dependent.  iUu  he  found  it  no  easy  task  t<i  over- 
come the  sus])icions  engendered  by  the  misunder- 
standini^s  and  injustice  of  s^er.erations.  or  to  bridije 
over  the  still  t^apin^  breach  so  recently  ma<le  between 
them  ;  and  nitiht  after  nii^hl  he  returned  to  the  casilc. 
worn,  dejected  and  heart-sore,  but  feelinj;-  ever  that 
he  dare  not  shirk  the  issue. 

In  a  few  davs.  persistent  reports  bej^^an  to  reach 
him  of  t!ie  cruelties  which  were  bein;.,^  perpetrated 
ujion  the  now  scattered  and  demoralized  ])easantrv. 
.md  of  the  awful  death  by  slow  starvation,  which  was 
beiuL,'  meted  out  to  the  unforttuiate  le;ider>  captured 
by  the  loval  troojis.  This  broU!.,dit  to  his  remem- 
brance the  promise  he  had  made  to  I/.old;i,  th.it  ne 
would  do  his  utmost  to  protect  her  f.ither  from  the 
vengeance  of  his  foes,  and  thou:,di  be  had,  scaro'lv 
the  slightest  hope  of  beini;  able  to  iutUience  the 
13 


tu^Il 


l\    r  I 


r 


It'' 


i  ? 


' 


»94 


Izolda. 


victorious  nohlos  to  abau'  one  y 


)t  the  ])unisliiiK'iU  oi 


hich    tlicv    had    ailjud^c 


I    1) 


w 

niccHatflv  Mt  mil  i"r  ihc  cam 


miiK'il  to  u^'O  every  e 


ozsa    \vo 


rth 


im- 


p  ot  the  \  ayvode,  deter- 


ttort  to  re<leeiii 


his  ] 


iromi^e.  up 


l)raidini,-  hiniseh'  nieanwliile  for  not  having  earher 
seen  to  it.  <  )n  enterin-  the  camp,  he  .as  soon  aware 
that  somethin-  unusual  \va-~  iransinrin-;.  Ouiet 
rei-ned  evervwlure  except  on  the  oi>en  plain  without 
the  hues,  where  all  the  camp  seemed  to  have  t;athered. 
Dismount inK^  he  hurried  (juickly  towar<l  the  con- 
course and  made  his  way  through  the  press,  arrivint,' 
at  the  inner  circle  just  in  time  to  witness  the  cruel 
fate  of  Dozsa  and  his  wretched  companions. 

Michael  stood  for  some  inoiuents  horror-stricken, 
and  jiowerless  to  remove  his  L^aze   from  the  hateful 
si.ectacle.    until    a    loud    scream    almost    heside    him 
diverted  his  altenti.Mi.     Turning;  (puckly.  he  saw  the 
now   orphaned   dau-hter   of   the   unf.irtunate    Dozsa 
sink  to  till-  uround,  .m.i  aKo  witnessed  the  fiendish 
acti(.n  of  de  Caul,  as  he  kicked  the  prostrate  form. 
\\ith    a    crv    of    '•Couanl!"  he    si)rani,r    to    seize    the 
deiKirlini:    Spaniard,    who,    reco-nizinix    his    pursuer, 
cast  ui)on  him  -ne  look  of  minL;led  hate  and  ra-e.  and 
ehidm.i.;  hi>  .L;ra-^i>  -^et  off  at  topmost  sjieed.      1  )Ml)ozy, 
entau-ied  in  the  cn-ud  lost  t^round.  and  ,ift<r  a  few 
strides  .uave   u\^  the  eha-e.  retlectin-  that   he   mis^ht 
safelv    leave    it    for    the    i>resent.   a-    C'ar.leuio    would 
doulitle^s.  if  Kit   alone,  not   .l;o  from  the  camp.      He 
therefore   deternuned   to   firM    d.. ,   what    he   mi-ht    to 
assi-t  hi^  vieiun,  and  later  tm-n  ln>  .altention  to  hunt- 
ing down  her  persecutor,  to  whom  he  vowed  in  his 


The   Pursuit. 


195 


iK-art 


ic  won 
1 


1(1  show  no  (UKirtcr.     Ra' .ing  the  un- 


conscious t^irl  ni  nis 


amis,  hr  carried  her  into  a  peas- 


nt  cotta<:;e  at  no  j^rcal  ih^taiice,  where, 


appi 


ly  he 
sick 


a 

found  a  woman  ulio  a])i)eare<l  no  stran.ger  to  a 
hed,  and  al)ly  seconde<l  liim  in  his  efforts  to  restore 
the   maid   to  hte.      After   lon.g   su>])ense   their   hilM.rs 
were    rewarded    by    some    siL,nis    of    awakeiiin.i,'    con- 
sciousness, and  beinu:  assure. 1  l)y   the   i)easant   wite 
tliat  all  would  now  be  well,  he  decided  to  leave  lur 
in  such  i^ood  care,  wliile  he  sou.qht  <  >ut  the  man  whom 
he  Imrned  with  imi)atience  to  measure  weaixms  witii. 
lie  had  no  difficulty  in  learnins,^  of  the  movements 
of  e'ardeiiio  who,  to  his  chagrin,  he  found  had  (juitted 
the  camp  ahnost  immediately  after  the  execnti'n  and 
had   ridden    we-tward.     Securin-   his    own   Imi-c   he 
mounted  and  rode  forth  in  hot  ])ursuit.      Ibmr  after 
lionr  he  rode  on,  and  to  all  his  iiKpiiries  from  tho'-e 
uhom  he  met  he  received  the  same  response,— that 
liis  (|uan  v  was  still  far  in  the  lead,  pusliin.ix  onward  at 
full    sjieed.     This    surprised    him    not     a    little,    and 
f..rce<l  the  conclusion  that  after  all  the  Si)aniard  was 
far  more  of  an  arrant  coward  than  he  hail  ■;iven  hiin 
credit  for,  and  a  great  contempt  for  the  fellow  grew 
upon  him.     T'ar  into  the  night  he  forced  on  his  tlag- 
ging    steed,    until    at    length    he    was    conii)elled.    re- 
luctantlv.   to   halt    for   refreshment    f.  ^r   both   him-elf 
and  blast.      I'y  early  morning  he  was  in  the  ..aildle 
again  and  once  more  pressing  in  k.eii  pur'^uit.      -Ml 
(lav  he   rode  and  still  th.e   St>ani.ird  was  well   in  the 
lead,    bending    liis    ccur-e       lore    northward,     until 
Michael  re.'.lized  that   if  thi'^  route  were  still  adiiered 


if 


l:i 


i   I 


i  i 


I 


196 


Izolda. 


to.  it  would  lead  tlu-ni  alnio^,t  directly  to  Marot.  and 
toward  ni^ht  the  familiar  landscape  he^'an  to  appear. 
He  now  determined  that   he  would  si)end  the  ni-ht 
within   his   castle,   and   pri.curing   fresh   mount   con- 
tinue his  (juest  at  dawn,  so  rode  steadily  forward  in 
the   f,^•ltherint;  tjloom.      Darkness   came  on  while  he 
was  still  several  miles  from  its  ,L,-ates.  and  as  he  still 
pressed    forward,   he    heard   the    souml   of   hoofs   aj)- 
])roachin<,i-  upon  the  hard  road  ahea.l,  and  peerin;^^  fir- 
ward  made  out  two  shadowy  shajio  hnrryin-  towarrl 
him.      He  slackened  his  ])ace  won.Urin-  who  could  he 
the  horsemen   njion   such   urgent   husiness  Lent,  and 
dehatin^^  whether  <  .r  not  to  attempt  to  hall  them  to 
I,ut   his  usual  <iueries  re-ar.iins  the  Spaniard.     On 
came  the  riders  at   full  i^alloii,  and  when  they  were 
just  ahreast  of  him  a  sharp  report  rani;  out,  a  hn.Liht 
tladi.  and  then  a  i)isiol  hall  whizzed  i)ast  his  head  so 
closelv  as  to  Rraze  his  hat.     Kre  he  wa-  (pute  con- 
scious of  what  was  hapiienin-,  the  stran-ers  thun- 
dered l)v.  leaviuij;  him  in  the  center  of  the  road,  dehat- 
im:  whether  it  were  wiser  to  ij^ive  chase  to  these  new 
assailants  or  to  continue  up()n  his  (piest.      He  (pnckly 
decided  that  with  his  ia<le<l  hea-t  he  would  have  liitle 
prospect    of    overhaulinti    the    horsenu'n,    the    hoof- 
iK-ats  of  whose  stee<ls  were  alreadv  hecomiui,'  faint  in 
the  distance,  so  continued  his  way  toward  his  castle 
of  Marot  where  he  soon  arrived,  and  entering::  soui,dit 
for  his  sister  .Anna. 

C.oin^  straight  to  his  sister's  aiianmeiUs,  he  was 
suri)rised  to  find  all  in  coidusion  and  apjiar.  tuly  <le- 
serted.     W'oarii.i;    apparel    and    other    articles    were 


The    Pursuit. 


T97 


(os^c.l  hapliazanl  about  ll.c  rooms,  slvnv.n-  phunly 
,hat  the  occupant  ha^l  l-ut  r.ccutly  taken  a  vcrv  hastv 
ni-rht  ruzzlcl.  an.l  in  va-ue  tear  of  some  new  'h-- 
asUT  the  Comes  calk.l  alou.l  his  sifter's  name  an.l 
receiving  no  response  ru>he,l  towanl  the  lower  l>art 
,,f  the  l.mhhn-.  to  ask  an  explanation  of  Ins  steuar.  . 
(  )n  tlie  stairway  he  almost  overturned  a  servm-  maid,  • 
■,■  •'■  was  cominLT  m  response  to  his  calls. 

"Tell  me  .inicklv,"  he  .Uman.le,! ;  "what  ha<  hai-- 
,,nie.l  an.l  wlhther  lias  my  sister,  the  huly  Anna, 
departed.'" 

The  ^Mrl  looked  at  him  with  wide,  starm-  eves, 
an.l  blanched  cheeks,  but  utterc.l  not  a  w..r.l. 

••<peak.  an.l  sav  (luicklv.  1  bi.l  v.n, !"  he  repeate.l. 
She  str..ve  u,  an>wer.  but  her  labore.l  brealhm- 
ch.)ke.l  her  utterance. 

"The  Spanish  kniidu  !"  she  -a>pe.l.  then  st.M.pe.l. 
unable  t..  speak  further,  wh.le  Michael,  all  .>n  tire 
with  i.ni^atience,  strode  to  an.l  fr..  waiting  f.)r  her  to 

''  '.\t    lentjth   from  her   tew   disjointe.l    sentences,   he 
jrathcred' sufl^cient   to   obtain   a   fairly   clear   i.lea   of 
what   had  happene.l;  an.l  it   dawne.l   ui>on  h.m   that 
Canlenio  was  fult^Uin-  t.)  the  utterm.^st  his  promise 
of  ven^^eance.  with  a  <lesperation  an.l  refniement  ..t 
crueUv  which  he  ould   scarcely  cre.ht.     .Xccor.m.^ 
to  the  e.xche.l  f^nrl's  st.^rv.  the  S,.aniani  ha<l  nd-len 
up  \o  tl-e  ca^lle  uate>  a'.i  li..ur  previ..u>  to  his  arrival, 
at   a   furious  pace  and   .lemau.le.l  a-lmittance  in  the 
name  of  its  master.     Uh  sister  Anna,  with  whom  do 
Gaul  had  stood  in  high  favor,  bade  that  he  be  ad- 


I9« 


1/ulda. 


1! 


ft    • 


I 


iiiitti.ll,  ri'Ci-Mvod  him  i^laillv.  ami  would  have  feasted 
liini  ri,L;l!l  fnalh  ,  iu.t  lu'  retu-od  all  oftcr  of  rcfrosh- 
iiiiiit,  aniKiuiiriiiL;  that  he  came  a-^  the  hearer  of  evil 
ti<liii,L;s,  and  had  al^)  a  nu>sa,L;"e  frnni  the  Comes  to 
his  sister.  The  >catlered  ]iea>aiils  had,  he  said,  re- 
united after  their  ilefeat  and  fallini;  ui)on  the  forces 
of  the  nohles  luiawares,  had  airaiu  coinpletelN  routed 
them  and  were  "iice  more  devastatin.L,'-  th.  country 
with  sword  and  torch,  lie,  with  Miidiat'l.  had  fou,<,dit 
all  da>  l<in,^'.  ■■H'*'''  which  they  had  toL,n'ther  succeeded 
in  reachini,'  a  plact'  of  safet\-.  thous:h  he  tjrieved  to 
say  that  the  laily  .Anna's  hrother  ha<l  bi-en  severely 
womideil.  .\fter  consulting  to.L^ether,  it  had  heeu 
agreed  that  he, — de  Gaul — should  endeavor  to  make 
his  wav  to  Marot  if  at  all  possible,  and  escort  its  mis- 
tress to  a  ])lace  of  safe  retreat,  ere  the  hlood-thirsty 
peasant r\-  should  arrive  to  *vreck  the  castle,  as  they 
most  assuredlv  would,  and  ir.  conclusion  he  ]»rayed 
her  to  make  all  possible  haste  to  prepare  for  her 
hurried  Ili.Lrht,  w!i  'e  he  from  the  stables  secureil  the 
two  best  im  units  available.  Thcv  had  departed,  the 
maid  concluded,  not  more  than  half  an  hour  since. 

Durint;  the  slow  recital,  Michael  groaned,  asjain 
and  avam.  .\11  too  well,  he  umlerstood  now  who  the 
two  riders  were,  wlioni  he  h;id  encountered  in  the 
road,  and  why  that  slu't  h;id  been  fired  at  iiim  as 
thev  rode  madly  bv.  Xot  content  with  the  e\  i!  he 
had  alreadv  accomplished,  the  villainou  ■  Spaniard  had 
determined  to  strike  him  throu;;h  his  sister,  the  ab- 
duction of  whom  he  had  accomplished  with  ease  by 
the  invention  of  this  plausible  story,  and  had  carried 


^\ 


I 


The  Pursuit. 


199 


om  hi.  (IcsiLrn  wuh  a  Ih.I.Iu.^s  tl,at   was  inor-    -han 
startliiv-:.      H.s  th->t   iminil.c  ^va^  f.  ru^h  <>tf  .n   hot 
pursuit';  hut.  rclUctin.L;  that  h.  wouM  in  the  end  have 
better  chanco  of  ..v.rtakint;  th.  fugitives,  .h-l  he  tarry 
to  take  the  surolv  nee.U-,1  rest  an.l  retreshnum    uhu-h 
the  Sl-anianl  had  n-U  dare^l  In,  he  restrained  h..  im- 
patienco   an,l  first   ,,r,.cee.le.l   to   put   an   end   to   the 
panic  which  ha.l  seizcl  all  the  househohl.     Tins  was 
in-  no  nteans  an  easy  task,  hut  was  at  le,ic;th  accom- 
pii.hed   hv   <lint   of   stern   cmman-ls   to   each   to   t.c 
about    their   ordinary   occupations,   while   haste   was 
,„a.le  to  provide  something:  for  his  refreshment,  tman- 
^vhile  Rivin.,  a  flat  .lenial  to  the  lyin^  story  of^  the 
Spaniard,      Mo  als^.  calle.l  upon  two  of  his  most  triul 
;,' d  trustv  retainers  to  make  ready  to  accompany  Imn 
i„  pursuit  of  the  ahductor  and  his  victim,  and  to  select 
\ul  three  freshest  horses  in  the  stahle.     Tins  -one 
.-Kl  having  refreshed  himself  with  meat  and  drmk.  he 
forced  himself  to  take  a  couple  of  hours'  rest,  though 
sleep  he  couhl  not 

]  on-  ere  morning  had  commence.l  to  dawn  he  uas 
agau.  ;,..m  the  roa.l.  and  the  next  two  -lays  and 
nights  were  hut  a  repetition  of  the  two  precedm,^ 
The  fugitives  were  following  the  course  of  the  rner 
Damihe.  as  it  dowed  on  with  ever  increasing  volume 
i„  its  s.nithward  journey,  and  it  earlv  Hashed  mt 
Michael's  comprehension,  that  Cardemo  purposed  it 
,,,,,n,le  to  make  his  escape  into  Ttirkish  ternn^^^^^ 

„„,  this  once  accompnshed.  he  cott  d  ^^^'X    ^  ,  ^  ^^ 
.uers.     As  this  dawned  upon  him,  he  shuddec  Mo 

think  of  what  the  fate  of  his  sister  might  he,  did  he 


i 


!. 


200 


I  /(iK'a. 


iiDt  oviriakf  and  rociic  Ikt  ;  ami  \\c  ik-t(.TiniiH'il  that 
if  luco-^afN  lie  Udul'I  CMP.tii-r.r  tlu-  i>iir^tiit  rvcn  to  tin- 
cajiital  >it  tlu'  tHTi'.'  Scliiii.  (  >f  rest,  lie  I'otiM  taki- 
iiMiu'  hiiii-clf.  an<l  wnilil  ^caiiTlN  takr  tiinc  fur  the 
lucclcd  rt.frcsliim-iit  of  lii>  own  and  i.-unii)a!iiMn>' 
stcfds. 

'P<.\\ar<I  cvcMiin;^'  of  tin-  xccoml  day,  a-  tlicv  reached 
till-  hr.iw  (,f  a  I'.w  lull,  and   L;ain<-d  an  ini< .h-tnieted 
view  for  s.une  distaniH',  he  was  overioycd    to  see  the 
objects  of  his  search  at  no  s^reat  di-vtance  in  advance, 
and  he  heirap.  to  feel  that  his  enemy  was  alreadv  in  his 
i;ras]i.  as   he   noi.d   that    the   liorse  he   rode   sliM\\ed 
tnnni>takal)le  si^ns  of  heinij;  well  ni^rh  done,  thon-h 
that  of  his  conii>anion  still  licid  hravely  on.      Wuh  a 
shoni    the    ]>ursners    tn-^eil    on   tlieir   heasts    as    the\ 
hurried  to  overhanl  their  l're\.     The  evenini;  hrce/e 
I)ore  the  sound  to  the  ears  of  the  fii,L,Mtives.  wlio  turned 
a  backward  j,;lance,  and.  it  was  plain.  recoy;uized  thetn. 
r.nt   while  the  Spaniard  strove  to  j.ut   greater  si)eed 
into  his  flaL^^j^int,'  mount     \nna  in.-ide  as  thoui^h  to  turn 
to   meet  them.      DetecluiLr  this,  her  comi)anion   laid 
a    detainiiiir   hand   npon    her   rein.   I'Ut    wliatever   his 
arL:ument,  it  faileii  to  convince,  for  the  i;irl  pulled  lier 
liorse  111)  ^li'Tt  ;ind  refused  to  proceed  further.     '1  he 
Sl^aniard  also  halted  and  seemed  to  parley,  tlien  in  a 
moment  the  pursuers  were  horritieil  to  see  him  sud- 
denly dr.aw  forth  a  da--er.      A  moment  it  tlashcd.  on 
hi.uh.    then    descended    into    the    breast    of   the    po.r 
maiden,   who   had   been   so    sadly    deceived.      As   the 
iimrdered  girl   fell   from  Ilt  horse,  de  Caul  quickly 
effected  an  exchange  of  mounts,  and  with  a  derisive 


The    I'ursuir. 


20 1 


slmut  to  ln>  i)ur>iuT'..  put  s|)ur^  iiiti.  iIh'  tlank^  <>i  tlio 
coinparativi'ly  frr>li  ■>tn''l  ami   L:a!l'>iH-il  nn. 

Ilia  frrnzv,  MjcIkuI  I)(i1)o/v  ili>nioutitiil  at  tin-  --iile 
cf  liis  (Iviiig  sistrr.  who  lia.l   'ul    stri'iiLjlh  to   K'''>I'- 
'Micliaol,"   tlu'ti    c\])ircil    in    lii-    arms.      I.a\iiif^    tlio 
liUidm;^  corpse  k'^''!'')'  "1"'"  '''^"  '■'•T'th,  the  stricken 
l)n)thcr  arose  and  with  a  cry  of  niinf^led  at,'onv  and 
ven^'eance  sprani;  into  his  sad<lle  and  starte<l  ni  hot 
f)iirsuit   of  the   rai)idl.\    reoe(hnfX  assassin.      In   a   few 
nionienls  he  liad  overtaken  his  companions,  who  liad 
continued  onward,  I)ut  in  a   short   si)acc  they   drew 
rein  and  imi)lored  him  to  i:^ive  up  the  chase,  stiiiport- 
ini;    tlieir    demand    I)y    directim:    liis    attention    to    a 
strong:  l)ody  of  Turks,  who  had  just  appeared  ui)on 
the  liorizon,  and  toward  whom  'le  C.aul  was  (hrectnii,' 
his  tH,L,dit.    At  first  Micliael  would  hear  of  no  ahandon- 
inent  of  the  pursuit,  declaring  that  he  was  ready  to 
meet   death   at   the    hands   of   the   infidels,   and   that 
^ladlv,  if  he  could  hut  first  <iraw  blade  upon  his  foe. 
l)Ut  as  he  still  persisted,  the  S])aniard  joined  the  troop 
and  was  it  seemed  received  in  all  friendliness,  while 
alter  :i  uKMuent's  halt  the  infidels  bore  down  upon  his 
three  foes.     .\t  this  Michael  reluctantly  pave  over  his 
design,  and  retreatiny;  rai)idly  they  took  up  the  body 
of  his  sister.      After  a  sharp  ch.ase,  aided  by  the  dark- 
ness  which  now  came   on   apace,   they   succeeded   in 
eluding  their  pursuers,  who  were  evidently  a  maraud- 
ing party,  emboUlened  by  the  unsettled  condition  of 
the  country  to  press  their  depredations  into   Hun- 
garian territory. 


201 


Izolda. 


CTIArTf.R  XVTTT. 


A   <)L'i;ST. 


t 


w 


Dejected   and   heart-broken.    Michael    Dohozy   re- 
tunieil  to   his   castle   of    Marot,  hearini;  all   tliat    re- 
mained of  the  sister  he  had  loveil  so  well.     Twice  in 
short  s])aci'  ha<l  his  soul  been  urnnL,'  by  the  violent 
(Kath  of  those  he  loved,  and  th     :astle.  with  its  niany 
reminders  of  the   Da^t,  now  seemed  hateful   to  hnn. 
In  his  miserv  his   thoughts  returned   to   Izolda,  and 
rememberin.t:  in   what    sorrv   i>li,L;hl   he   had   left   that 
jx.or  maid,  he  set  oiU  for  t!  .■  peasant  cottage,  where 
she  had  been  carried  by  him  ere  he  had  bep:un  his 
pursuit  of  the  Spaniard.     The  cam])  of  the  nobles  luul 
I)een  shifted  ami  nothint:  now  remaineil  to  mark  the 
spot  where  such  a  cruel  trai^edy  had  so  recently  been 
enacted.      He  hurried  to  the  cottaiu-  and  iiKiuired  of 
the  peasant  woman  how  fared  it  with  her  charLre  ;  but 
was  surjirised  and  alarmed   to  learn   that   she   knew 
nothino  ,,f  her  wliereabouts.     The  d,ay  fidlowin.c::  his 
dei)artnre.  Izolda  had  seeme<l  (|uite  herself  once  more, 
and  tellinix  the  woman  that  she  ha<l  ito  further  need 
of  her  care,  had   departed.— she   knew   not   whither. 
Dimblless.   suijf^osted   the   friendly   peas.int,   slie   had 
f^one  l)ack  to  her  own  people. 

What  a  pang  that  simple  suggesiiou  sent  ihruu-h 


A  OiK-sr. 


aoj 


tlu-   sMiil   ..I   the   >(.un-  Comes.     Ala-,   p'-.r   I/oMa! 
Death,  wlr.rli   hail   ><>  S'.rely   ;iriliote'l   him,  h.id  lu-.  n 
cvrii  iniin-  x.ii.^clul  touanl  lur.      N'-t   onl\    \\a-  -lu- 
now  .-tl'Mic  in  the  wrM,  htit  al>i'  slu-  hail  \\<<  jil-uc  -lu- 
nii,L;lu  call  luThi.nu'.      Ih.u.  v<r,  the  sus^estion  nii-hi 
l,r  WMfth  fnllMwniL,'  ui),  ami  hr  ai-C'>plin:.rly  n'luriu  1 
t.>  the  villat^e  of  Manit.  or  at  Ka-l  to  what  reiiiaiiuil 
of  that  once  i)eacefnl  hamlet.     The  house  of  (',re<j:ory 
Zach  hail,  he  rememhereil.  been  razdl  aivl  a-  f.ir  as 
known,    all    his    familv    hail    heen    slain,      lie    nunle 
closest    in(iiiiry   of   the   few    remaining-   vilhii^ers.   hut 
could   learn   nau-ht    of    l/oMa.      N'mie   hail   seen   her 
since  the  day  after  he,  with  the  Si>ani>h  stran-er,  had 
visited   tlie   villa,ij:e   one   eveninl,^   mouths   hefore.      In 
fact,  it  had  heen  currently  re])orted  that  -he  had  i^oue 
away    with    the    fi.reii^uer.     Sick    at    heart,    Dobozy 
turned  from  the  villa.i^e  and  betook  hiui-elf  ouce  more 
to   his   castle,   wlure   he   remained   for    several    days, 
^uiik  in  blank  despair. 

Suddenly,  it  occurred  to  him  that  the  distracted  i^irl 
niit;lU  have  endeavored  to  find  her  way  back  to  her 
father's  home  in  Transylvania,  of  the  destruction 
,,f  which  by  the  \-ayvode  she  had  not  been  told:  and 
full  of  pitv  for  the  forlorn  and  unprotected  maideu  he 
decided  to  journey  thither  iu  hope  of  findin.Lr  some 
trace  of  her,  and  at  once  set  out.  His  journey  was 
not  without  dan-cr.  for  althmi-h  all  orjranized  re.-ist- 
aiK-e  on  the  part  of  the  peasantry  was  at  an  end.  yet 
small  bands  still  roamed  the  country,  and,  rendered 
desperate  bv  the  treatment  accorded  to  prisoners  by 
the  nobles,  had  in  some  cases  established  themselves 


204 


l/(.KI:i. 


i 


u 


ill  ^MH'lu'iril  riL;i'ins.  wliriuc  ll\i\  foiilil  ^allv  lOrtli  \n 
attack  aii'l  pliiinlcr  al  will.  M'Tc  than  hikc  he  \\a> 
in  (lanL;i'i-  i>\  In-  lil'i-.  aii'l  <lc1iair'l  uli'tlu  r  nr  imt  hr 
vli'>ulil  alianil'iii  in-  project  ami  rrtraci,'  hi-  strp-., 
ntlvciin^.  I  hat  ulurr  he  f^nni'  -ticIi  (litTictilt;. ,  t!;c 
hi'lplcss  L;irl  iMnliJ  lU'vrr  have  niadr  hi-r  way.  i'ut 
Ifa\c  her  fatr  ni  mu'criaint} .  lu-  t\lt  lu'  cmiM  not,  -d 
imsht-il  on  ami  in  tiniv  ilrcw  near  familiar  sci-ut-. 

Here  and  there  were  siint-  whieli  ealle'l  nj)  iiuinor- 
ies  of  pleasnres  \ear-  aL^'oui'.  when  i/olda  ami  he  liad 
l)een.  pla\  mates  to.^-etlur.  and  now  he  ])a->ed  the  si)ot 
where  a  few  week-  since,  on  the  eve  of  tlie  peasants' 
iipri-ini,',  he  had  fonnd  the  mai'l  in  sneh  woelnl  I)li.t,dit, 
and  with  more  woelnl  tak-  to  tell.  At  last  tht'  ruins 
of  the  oiu"o  pleasant  home  of  l)ozsa  were  hefore  him, 
and  he  hei^an  to  ea-t  ah'UU  for  some  one  to  whom  he 
ini;;ht  put  his  almo.-t  hopeless  im|uiries  for  an\  iidin.<,'s 
of  tlie  ill-fated  leader's  danL:;hler.  lint  all  -eenied 
deserted  and  silent  as  the  qrave  :  no  annnal  life  was 
vi-iMe  and  even  the  birds  of  the  air  appeared  to  shun 
the  desolatt-  s])ot. 

Ridinjj  aimlessly,  lie  mo\ed  idose  np  to  the  ruins, 
and  while  hi-  horse  wanden-il  at  will,  heeame  lost  in 
a  sad  reverie,  thinkini;  of  the  rnin  and  ilestruetion 
which  had  swept  like  a  summer's  storm  over  his  uti- 
fortnnate  countr\.  and  <if  the  injustice  and  ojipres-ioii 
which  had  heen  respon-ihle  for  it  all.  Snddenlv.  In- 
was  aroii-ed  1)\-  hearing-  a  -ound  as  of  sin^intj  in  a 
low  voice  close  at  hand.  He  looked  about,  but 
cuuld  s(.c  iiu  one.     The  suund,  hovvevcr.  seemed  to 


A   Oucst. 


ao5 


proceed   fmni   \hr  opposite-  si.lr   -f   a  luaj 

;.l„s,.   at    ha.ul.      DiMUMuntnicr.  !'<•   walkol   an.n,.     m 

,,,,l,r  to  s.T  a..'  hav.  -i" -1'  ^^"''  '''"•  ^"'-^■'-  •'"'' 
a.  lK-cau.,lU  s.^lu  nt  alua,lal..w,lK-l..M..  st,m.> 
which  cottccaU-.l  tlto  rcniau.kr  of  a  rcctnul-cU  t.^i.ro 
his  foot  cau-ht  in  a  proirctin-.^  mot  auM  hr  f.l 
luavilv.  Tlt.r.  was  a  >l.arp  crv.  au.l  in  a  nionn-nt 
,  ,„U,,1  .la-cT  na.h.,1  olo.c  bcfor.   h,s  o.s,  wh.ch 

ho  closcl  involnntar.I).  vxpcctin^  to  U.\  thr  ooM 
<,..!  c-ntcTin..'  his  tU-.l,  tit.  next  niont.nt.  I'.ut  tin- 
l,l,.vvca,nct.o,;;nst.a,lJuluav.lth.nt.talt-attK  as 
„f,nu,,ontlu-  stones  l..s„Khnn.  (  )pcnin^'  us  c->.s 
a.rain  he  ^aw  .tan.Hn^  l.uor.  hint  a  ^yv^v  K'rl.  whon, 
hc^  Muickly   r.oo^t.i.ol  a>  the  .lau^ht.r  of   An-lrca^. 

thf  strolling  ninsician. 

"Whv  Oaia.- !u.  cxclaimol.  •What  -l..  vou  her.  . 
,  ha.l  thought  of  a  >tn-.tv.  that  n.y  cn.l  wa.  o-nic. 
SitK-c  when' have-  vou  taken  to  -rc'ctin^^  y..ur  inen.ls 

in  such  fashion.-"  . 

-1  thought  v.m  not  a  fricn-l."  she  answered  -nui-ly. 
,H,„    ;i.   he   aro.e,   tuotione.l   huu  to   follow   her 

Ooin^  atMon^  the  rttins.  close  up  a^amsl  the  In^h 

clifT  against   which   the  back   of   I)oz>as   house   ha-l 
.....p'she  force.l  a  wav  through  the  bushe>  au.l  vntes 

,,hieh  he,  e  ,rew  in  profusion,  attd  he.  foUowut:.^  her 

f,,„,,l  hituself  at  the  ctttratK-e  of  a  cavern  or  tunnel 

which  ran  itito  the  mouutaitt  si.le.      .\s  he  entere-l.  a 
hu^e  form,  as  h  .eenuM  to  him.  of  a  Kiant    sp-an^up 

,/th<m..h  to  fall  upon  him.  then  hesnatol  an.l  dre^ 
h,ck       O'.her  than  this  he  coul.l  <liscern  nothing  at 


2o6 


l/.olda. 


u} 


n 


■w  i 


W 


fir^t  in  tlic  i^^Idoih,  but  as  his  eves  j^rcw  accustomed 
t'l  tlu'  (liin  li.ulii  lie  cmiM  make  >  mt  other  ol)jects  and 
In^'^an  ti  i  loi  ik  ahi  mt  Irim. 

\\r  Iiave  sevu  the  interior  ot  tliat  lii(hn;^f  i^lacc 
iKi'^Te;  and  as  Micliatl  ma!%e>  hi>  sur\ey  now,  it  ha.s 
aherid  httle,  save  that  it  sliows  evidence  ot  nn^ro 
recent  ( iccu]iation.  The  t^iant  form  wliicli  liis  en- 
trance had  ih--!url)ed,  now  dwindled  I'.own  into  a 
peasant  i  if  .  ir(linar\'  iiroji'irtions,  wlnirn  he  recoL;nizi.-(l 
as  oiir  fr.  iin  lii>  m\\  n  lands. — Cahric  1.  tlu-  -i  >n  of  r.re,:^- 
or\  /ach.  and  con'-in  to  I/i>lda.  The  si^ht  of  him 
<,'ave  fre--h  life  to  his  well-ni;;h  ahandoned  hope,  and 
lie  eaperly  (juestioned  him  if  lie  knew  or  had  heard 
au;^ht  of  the  lo-t  maidin.  l"or  an-wer  (".abriel 
nioii.nud  toward  the  liack  of  the  cavern,  and  the 
\' iun,L;'  Comes  stnidc  (|nicki\-  to  the  spot  indicated. 
There,  stretched  npiin  a  rude  couch  in  the  semi- 
darknos.  he  made  out  tlu  form  of  the  one  he  had  so 
lonq-  son^lit  f"r  in  vain.  With  a  cry  of  joy,  he  knelt 
l)e^ide  her  and  called. 

'•[zolda!      Izolda!" 

The  form  moved  slightly  while  a  weak  voice 
faltered. 

"Michavl;  Surely  it  is  the  voice  of  tlu'  Comes 
Michael,   which  c;ill>.      liow  came  he  hither?" 

ll  cm  Inm  to  the  heait  tn  lu;ir  that  \(iice. — oiu'e  so 
fidl.  round,  anil  mn--ic;d  in  its  toius. — speak  ^o  weakly 
and  I'l'i  ikenh  .  .\i  >w  rdsi )  hr  wa~  aide  t'  i  make  oiU  the 
|>r<ilile.  and  it  aiipe.areil  to  him  that  e\en  in  tliat 
twilight  he  cmuM  mark  Iimw  woefully  tlnn  and  worn 
the  heamiful   f.ice   had   </rown. 


^-ii 


A   Ovicst. 


207 


"O  T7oMa;"  lu-  cric.l,  "it  i;ric'vo.  mc  s<^rr  to  :-.c  ;- .  ai 
,l,r,..  \\  iKit  new  fvil  lias  l.cfallcn  y..n,  an.l  how  .-anu- 
von  \<>  tliis  t;ir  liistaiit  place."" 

■  ••  \ficr  I  saw  inv  nol.le  tatherV  awful  <Uath.  '  came 
tlu>  n-ponsc.  ni  low  broKcu  tonc^.  "there  c-uM  he 
„.^,,„Htf,,r,nehntt.Mheal-..      lUu  of  a  siuMen  there 

came  over  me  the  lon-in;^  to  co,ue  hack  to  the  once 
l,a„,n  home  an.l  scene  of  my  chiMhool  jovs,  ami  here 

„/lav    me   ^own   an.l    .he.      ilow    1    .Ira^^e-l    mys.  f 
hither  1  knowm.t    or  what  way  1  came  I  cannot  tell 
Ml  was  a  wiM  and  fearsome  .Iream  until  1  stood  an- 
hH.ke.l  u,.on  the  spot  where  that  home  should  he.  an^ 
.aw  instead  hut  a  lieai-  of  crumhlm.^'  nim^.      Hun 
„i,.u'dit    1    died;  hut    Clara,   the   oood   T/.iLraiia    ^nrl. 
found  me  and  hrou^ht  me  hither  where  Cahriel  al.o 
lay.  and  l.v  her  nur.m- has  ,>m  ..IT  the  day  tdl  m.w  ; 

hut  it  cannot  he  for  loni;. 

-Oh  sav  not  so,  mv  s^veet  Tz,.lda!"  and  the  y<nm- 
man  almost  sohhed  in  his  a-onv.  "Vou  mu^t  not  die. 
hut  live;  f,,r  there  is  jov  and  hai-inness  vet  tor  y..u_ 

'•X,,t  so."  she  said;"l  would  far  rather  die.  late 
can  have  no  more  hapi.iness  for^me,  since  all  wlu. 
lov.-d  i>oor  holda,  are  lost  to  me.'" 

••  \11  are  not  -one;  for  am  1  not  here?'  And  have 
1  not  searched  tliese  weeks,  throu^^h  mountain  and 
forcst.hearthr.kenat  vottrloss?  Au-l  mnv  tluU  at 
la^t  1  have  tound  mv  love,  she  speaks  of  death, .  >  yn 
„,„„  „,,t.      1   cannut.  I  w,l!  not  let  vou  die!     was  the 

passionate  replv.  _ 

"You  MichaeP  r-.»  speaK  of  love  to  mc  ."  .No. 
You  hut   mock   me.      Kor   1   am  hut   a  po^.r  peasant 


208 


Izolda. 


■a  ' 


w 


i  t 


4;  f 
i'    ■ 


I 
f  y 


niaiil.— the  daui^litcr  of  tl\r  rcvilcil  and  fonswurn 
ri'litl  cliiif,  who  \yd^  Ikiii  nwardf.l  for  Jiis  so  called 
cnnu's  with  sliaimdul  death  ;  while  >  oii  are  iiol)le  born. 
—  tlie  Comes  of  Maroi. — and  soon  will  take  to  \wte 
the  dauj^hter  of  the  \a\vode.  Sjjare  nie  !  O  S))are 
me  this  iresh  mi>er\.  and  let  me  die  in  ]Hace! 

"fnite  mvsilf  to  tlie  daughter  of  Szajxilyai.  that 


t'lend  in  human  form'"      No,  never! 


r.nt  V"",  I  must 
have  for  mine  own,  i/oMa.  Does  not  your  heart  tell 
von  that  1  do  trulv  love  yon  :^  Yes,  and  have  loved 
\ou  ihroUL^h  all  these  years  ^inee  we  a 
|ila\e(l   together   amotii^   tliesi 


ehildreii 
ame  hills   and   forest 
ulades.      I'>e  von  peasant  maid  or  noble,  1  care  not, — 
so  von  l)elon,i;'  to  (/;('.'" 

At  this  a  wondrous  smile  lit,dited  wy  those  wan  and 
lunedied  featm-es. 

■■'Pell  me  that  a;j:ain,  my  Michael;  for  1  Ion-  have 
l)ined  for  lo\e  of  thee."  And  as  he  stretedied  forth 
his  arms,  she  nestled  lier  head  a.trainst  his  shoulder 
and  nnirmured. 

"Live?'  Yes,  now  I'll  live:  I'll  live  for  thet  !"' 
r>nt  while  these  two  communed  in  sweet  rhajisodics 
toL^ether,  that  very  joy  was  as  hitterness  and  ^^-aW  dis- 
tilled, for  one  who  saw  the  scene.  C.ahriel,  the  peas- 
ant votnh,  from  his  corner  of  the  cavern,  ^azed  with 
white,  set  face,  drawn  lips  ;iml  clenche<l  hands,  while 
he  ).;roaned  within  himself  and  his  teeth  t:-onnd 
toijether  in  sup])ress(.(|  pa-sion. 

"Yea.''  was  his  thought.  "Xot  content  with 
rol)1)in,!.,'-  the  ]ioor  iieasant  of  his  i^oo.Is.  and  makim^ 
him  a  slave  "f  the  soil,  he  nuist  needs  rob  him  also  of 


N 


'^T .. 


A   Ouest. 


20  ij 


his  Invf.  Vol."— an. 1  ihc  trr.c  lioiir>t  s,ml  ruM-  in  a 
-raiKkur  <>i  renunciation.— "I'T  thf  l«>vo  1  l)<.ar  Uu- 
suiTl  niai.l.  will  i  i^ladly  <eT  Iut  in  hi<  amis,  for  tluTc 
uill  -1k'  -urrlv  have  security  ami  i)r(.tection,  while 
nau-ht  hut  privation,  peril  and  ^listress.  would  he  her 
l(jt  with  an  outcast  ])easant. 

And  farther  toward  th-  entrance  of  the  ])laco.  an- 
other I'air  of  eyes  surve>ed  the  whole  scene.  an<l  heiit 
their  L^aze  in  passionate  yearnin-  upon  the  sutfenni,' 
p.casant.   while   another   heart   thus   communed   with 

itself. 

"So.      He  has  no  eyes  for  au.^ht  hut  her    who  cares    . 
not  for  him.  hut  like  that  one  Ion-  dead,  whose  name 
she  l)ears.  would  die  for  him,— the  iiohle  horn,  who 
vet  mav  play  her  false.      In  that  she  differs  not  from 
the  poor  foo'lish  Tzi-aua  Clara,  who  w<.uld  also  rrla<lly 
die  for  the  strou-.  hrave.  youn-  ])easant.  whose  love 
is  thus   stolen   from  hefore  his  eyes.     Would   lliat    I 
had  struck  home  luy  knife  just  now,  and  silenced  m 
death   him   who  now  lives   to  torture   Cahriel  Zach  ! 
I'.ut  no.  I  <nve  my  life  to  biiu.  and  harm   1  <lare  not 
do.     ^^o   hack    to    luine    own    i)eo])lo    will    1    lto.     Ti) 
linger  lon-er  were  hut  to  die.'"     And  silently  and  all 
unnoticed  the  i^ypsy  maid  t,dided  out  an<l  away. 

'Twas  ever  thus.  The  joy  of  one  hriu-s  sorrow  to 
another;  while  sorrow  is  hut  the  ahseuce  of  the  jr.y. 
Here  were  two  hearts,  in  readiness  to  hurst  with 
i^rief.  while  two  ,.thers  heat  fast  and  could  not  con- 
tain their  filadness.  We  are  ready  to  exclaim.  -What 
a  iiarody  is  love !  What  a  mockery  is  life  !  What  an 
an<j:el  in  disguise  is  death! 
14 


lO 


Izolda. 


CTTAPTER  XIX. 


9 


THE  "TKIl'AKTlTI-;  COOK. 

The  "Tcat  national  Did  >>\  Hnn-ary  ha^  been  sum- 
moned "l.v  the   wearer  of  Si.  Stei-^en-s  tnple  erown, 
to  nieei  at  lUida.     Swrei-ui-  niea.ure>  lor  the  weltare 
of  the  kin-.loni  are  to  he  suhniitted  tor  tlie  eon.ulera- 
Unn    oi    th.    nohl.^.    who   are    -h-aun    to,^.tlu-r   troni 
cast    west,  nortli  and  soulli  of  that  ..nee  .^..o.lly  hind, 
-nmv  so  sadlv  deva>tate<h     What  naniele-   horrors 
.^ather   in   the   train   of  that   -rnn   and   aural  .lenmn 
War'      The   air.   once   so   pnre.   see-.ns   now   to    reek 
u,th  carrion,  -hile  the  soil  is  .Irenehed  with  the  hlood 
.,,-  ili.w,  whose  stron-  arms  sh.uild  hy  tilia-e  have 
,vhe^ed  it  of  its  frnits.     Civil  war.-of  all  wars  most 
h,,rrihle  -has  had  its  cruel  lu>t  for  blood  satiated  to 
the  full  in  this  stricken  land,  since  la>t  this  ^reat  c<m- 
course  -athered  in  T.uda's  halls;  and  many  wdio  then 
.at   in  conncil   are   now  rottinir  into  <lust,  while  the 
lues    of   tlftv    thousand    i^ea^ants   have    s<^ne   to   nay 
the  forfeit,  and  the  uail  of  the  widow  and  the  father- 
U-ss  i>  luard  thron-hont   the  kn-th  and  breadth   of 
llicse  broad  plains  and  in  th.'  inmost  recesses  of  those 
tow.MM,-  lull-,     r.nt   the  bkack  p.dl  which  ha<l  settled 
,1h.   kind   IS   liftitiL'   at   last.      Peace   once   more 


over 


spreads  her  wings  -..-oughout  its  borders,  and  law 


v^-fi 


The  "'I'ripurtite 


Codt 


2  1  1 


)r(li-r  a^ain   jirevail 


Mi 


asnrrs   arc  now 


to  1) 


ilinn  troin 


aim   oicHi    a^iiMi   [Pivwii.-      ...^..  .... 

enacted,  wliicli   >liall  forever  iii.-^ure  exeniptin 

civil  strife,  and  the  reiL;n  of  peace  >\vd\\  l)c  a  lasting 

one. 

Stephen  X'erhoczy.  the  talented  and  wise  Chief  Jns- 

tice  of  the  km.udoni.  is  to  i)roi)(iund  laws  which  shall 

insure  harmony  ami  jtiMice  to  all,  and  shall  render  hi< 

name  famous  and  remembered  for  a-es  yet  to  come. 

Surelv,  a  Solomon  i>  he!      I'-^r  uisdom  of  sui)reme 

r.iids   is  that,   which   makes  it   law,  that   all  men   are 

e.|nal,     Xo  noble,  whatsoever  his  estate,  >hall  be  eou- 

side'-ed  the  superior  of  Ins  brother,  save  in  th.at  super- 

iuritv   whicli   merit    alone  bestow^,   uhile   in   his   just 

ri.ulus  he  is  defended  a.i^ainst  exaction.  fr<,m  even  the 

wearer  of  the  crown  himself.     The  clergy,  likewise, 

must    not   i)resume  un-lulv   ui)on   their   sacred   ofTice. 

Thev,   t..o,   must    be   subject    to   this   law   of   t^eueral 

equalitv.      Xo  noble's  ^'Jods  can  be   wre'iched   from 

his  miwillinj;  ^ras])  fi'r  either  Church  or  State. 

Well  done.  \'erl)oczy!  .\  Solomon  in  truth  is  here! 
And  n.)w  the  peasant:  he.  surely,  is  one  who  will  be 
-•reatlv  blessed  by  this  law  of  equal  rights;  and.  in- 
deed, the  dawn  of  lastini,'  peace  has  surel>  broken 
when  the  -rievous  burdens  which  caused  the  recent 
wretched  sU-ife.  are  so  effectually  removed.  I'roceed. 
(  )  most  wise  and  noble  Chief  Justice  !— The  i)easar,ts! 
I'or  the  iK.isants  we  now  ])roceed  to  le.L;islate. 

•■The  recent  u^.risin,!.,^  so  diabolically  conceived  and 
furtherel  under  cloak  of  a  reli-ious  exi)edition.  has 
forever  branded,  the  peasant  cla-s  as  faithless  an.l 
most    infamous.      Forever    have    they    forfeited    all 


I 


hi 


11 


w 


212 


1/olda. 


1. 


rights.  TTinccfortli  imisl  they,  in  perpetuity,  l-c 
hnurnl  down  tc,  the  ^oiL-n-t  t..i  lioM  it  a>  their  uun. 
lint  to  till  it  tor  their  master^.  a-ain>t  whom  no  rights 
at  law  have  they.  l"oi  he  shall,  in  truth,  be  ihcir 
jud^c  in  all  tliir.;^^  i)ertainin-i  to  th.eir  onlerin.i:,  a-vl 
of  tlio  profit  of  their  toil  shall  he  "eceive  all.  save  that 
hare  sustenanee  which  the  i.easant  and  his  fainilv  may 
claim.— else  he  had  not  stren-th  to  labor.  Hut  to 
more  than  this  Ik-  shall  h:i\e  no  riL;ht." 

Do  our  ears  perfroin  their  ftiiKtion"'  Have  we 
heard  ariiiht'  Is  this  the  ])rop,.sitiMn  o'  a  man,  or 
fiend  :^  'i'i.  enslave,  in  jierpetuity.  the  .t^reater  portion 
.,f  the  nation!  Surely,  'tis  a  maniac  i)rop,)Uuds  such 
an  outra-eou>  scheme!  And  yet.  do  many  openly 
api)laud.  while  more  keep  silent,  jud-in-  this  of  no 
concern;  and  lew,  few  there  be  who  raise  the  voice 
of  jtrotest. 

Michael  Dobozy,  the  yount;  Comes  of  Marot.  sits 
fnr  a  time  confounded,  lie  scarce  can  believe  his 
ears.  That  injustice,  so  t)!>en  and  i)ronounced.  can 
in  cold  blood  be  mo.ited  he  cannot  credit.  At  lent^th 
it  dawns  upon  him  that  this  is  no  crude  or  hastily 
conceived  iirodtictie.n.  but  rather  is  the  result  of  care- 
ful and  delilK-rate  i-lannin-  to  forever  crush  out  all 
spirit  of  resistance  from  the  otTendin-  peasantry. 
Silence  he  can  keei>  no  l.n-er,  and  sprin-ing  to  his 
feet  ])ours  out  his  heart-felt  protest. 

In  rin-in-  words  of  passie,nate  :^^\^v:\]  he  implored 
the  members  of  the  TVct  to  j^ause  and  reilect  before 
thev  allowe.l  such  an  infiunous  enactment  to  dis- 
grace the  statute  book  of  Hungary.     In  this,  their 


^^^t"!. 


1  he  "Tripartite  Code' 


213 


linur    ..f    triuini>li,    surdy    tlu'v    o>uU\    afford    to    In- 
nia-nainm-'us!     Thu   iHa>ant.   lia-l   boon  tau-lit    l.y 
torct   ilwit   rrlH'lliun  aj;ainst  o>tal)lislK'.l  law  and  au- 
lli,.ritv  was  intiK'  and  bul  rcoili'.!  u;.on  tlu'iiisclvrs  ; 
— and  wliat  luad  was  tlurc  to  i)rrss  tin-  U'sm-ii   nir- 
ther?     Katlier  was  it  the  part  of  wisdom  to  \iilv  -ii'-h 
measures,  as  would  teu-l  to  heal   the  lireach   whirl, 
had  been   luade  between   masters  and   servant^    and 
bv  uKikin-  now  some  sm  .11  eonces^ons.  show  to  the 
mis^nhded  jieople  that  their  lords  were  not  marly  so 
unjust    a>   th.-ir   !.;i  hi-   had   persua<led   them.      X-nv 
was  the  time  to  rectify,  as   lar  as  jx.ssihle.  the  mis- 
takes of  the    i)ast.  and  to  take  ^-uch   steps  as  would 
insure  for  the  Hungary  of  the  future  peace  and  unity, 
such  as  had  existed  within  her  borders  in  the  days  of 
Matthias  C.)rvinus.    This  could  only  be  accomplished 
bv  metinu  out  to  the  peasant  class,  treatment,  sucli 
as  would' re-establish  eonfulence  in  their  ruler.,  and 
teach  them  that  the  interests  of  hit;h  and  low  wjr  ; 
„ii,tual.— that  an  injury  to  one  was  an  injury  to  all. 
Thus,  and  thus  only,  mi-ht  the  awfid  calamity,  which 
had  lately  fallen  upon  this  fair  lan<l,  be  made  a  laslini,' 

blessinn;.  , 

"Persist  in  this  iniciuitous  jmrpose.  he  conciude.l. 
-and  the  dark  clouds  oi  despair,  which  are  even  now 
seltlin-  over  the  wretched  peasantry,  will  be  deep- 
ened into  blackest  ni-ht.  aiul  an  era  of  suspicion  and 
distrust,  hatr-1  and  violence  ensue,  which  shall  s've 
to  Ilun^^arv  a  backward  j.lacc  in  tlie  rank^  of  the  na- 
tion^.  instead  of  that  foremoM  ida.e  to  which  she  is 
entitled,  and  wh.i.  h  the  cnteri>rise  of  the  great  Mat- 


^1 


214 


l/.)l(l;i. 


lliia>    lia^    si'curcil    I'T    lur.      ToikKt   also    well,    that 
tlu'  wilv  Ttirk  i-  rviT  al   <>iir  very  doors,  so  that   'tis 
liut   tlu'  jiart  of  '-cltish  wi-iloni  to  krcp  tlu-  pcopU-  m 
contciitnu-nt  with  their  lot,  K'st  they  reason  that  their 
state  e.ni  he  no  wor-e  with  I'oreit^n  lonls  tli.an  umler 
Mac^v.'ir  oppressors,  ;niil  --o  ral]\-  not  ;o  our  si;ini|.-iril 
when  the  strni^u'ie  Comes, — as  come  it   snrely  will,— 
an.l   ihii-   we   hf    wor-te'l    in    the    '-trit'e.      As    I    iliil   of 
];ite  travel  in  other  lani!^.  I  niarki.l  manv  >ii,'ns  which 
sav  to  me,  ;is  plainlv   as  ntlfreil  word-  conM  impart, 
that    the    i,'re;it    ma^^ses   of   the   peojile   are    ;uvakennii^ 
f.nt  of  >lei-p.  and  are  Lrroj-in^-  ont  f^  ^r  that. — tln'v  know- 
not  what;  liut   winch  nameli'-s  ihiie^'  i-  that   free.loni 
wdiich    man's    inmost     n.alnre    craves.       Why,    tlu'n, 
shonld   Tiot   we.  of  the   i>rond   Maj^yar  race,  leail  the 
van   iti   thi-^,   as   other   m.atttrs,   and   jiroelann   to   the 
world  that  in  this  favored  land  a  m.an  may  be  a  iiuiiif 
F.xtend.  ()  Chief  Justice,  that  most  just  en.actment  of 
iMpialitv  to   the  iiea-.ant    in  common  with   the   noMe, 
and  your  name  shall  l:<i  down  to  o;ener;itions  yet  un- 
born   in    veneration  ;— heed    me    not.   and    "Xerhocr-y' 
."iliall  be  of  all  names  me)st  accursed  in  the   Magyar 
tonL;"ne  !" 

Michael  wa-  .all  <m  fire  with  his  theme,  and  that 
his  fervid  .appeal  had  made  a  deep  imj^ression  was 
(juite  evi<lent  .•■  -  he  ceased  speakint^  I'ut  his  recent 
alli.ance  willi  the  dant;hter  of  the  rel  A  chief  was 
Known  to  nianv.  .and  this  fact  wa-^  -nnnin^ly  tised  l>y 
h;-  oppponent-  to  nullify  hi~  effort -,  whih'  -'-me  were 
f.umd  base  enon;:h  to  m]hmiI\  cbar-e  that  the  vmmt; 
Comes  had  all  along  been  in  symp.-jthy  with  the  out- 


1 


^■1 


V; 


The  "Tripiirtite  Code." 


215 


i 


ra-cs  ,HTiK-tratr.l  l.v  the  luasiuury,  an^l  had  socrrilv 
i.„c..uraKe.l  Duzsa  in  hi>  mad  cnteri-n.c.  ^o  al 
length  the  i.ara.lnxioal  ••Trii.artitc'  CmcIo"  becomes  the 
law  of  the  land,  and  Meedin-  lhin-ar>  ha>  hern  -iven 
yet  anMtlier  wound  deeper  and  ni.ae  -riev-ns  tlian 
anv  >he  lias  vet  suffered,  and  uhieh  shall  cause  her  L. 
la-  behind  in  tlie  march  of  pro-res.  lor  centune>  U> 

come. 

Returnincr  in-m  this  meetni-  -.f  the  national  coun- 
cil the  lord'wf  Mar,.t  seeks  the  apartments  ot  I/<dda. 
xvllo  now  holds  sway  at  his  castle,  and  throws  huuselt 
deject edlv  at  her  feet. 

"Whv  so  satl.  my  MichaeK'"  inquires  she  m  sweet 
solichude.  ■■Ilath  the  Diet  disappointed  you  .^  I 
know  v.)U  expected  ^^real   thin-s  from  its  meetuv^. 

"Yea  Sad  and  disaiM^ointed  indeed  am  I;  f'T 
where  I  expected  justice  and  fair  dealin-  nothin.Lj 
but  infamv  and  wmntr  seemetli  to  be  tolerate.l,  and 
Mad  of  a  sympathetic  listener  he  rehearsed  the  pro- 
cee.lin.-s  at  T.uda.  commenting  bitterly  upon  the  vm- 
.lictiveness  and  perversity  manifest^  by  tlie  nobles 
wdio  had  there  assembled. 

bohla-s  exi^ressive  countenance  -ave  evidence  ot 
the  keen  suffering  which  the  recital  of  the  turther  op- 
pression in  store  for  the  unfortunate  peasants  caused 
her-  for  ahh.nn>h  she  herself,  by  ''er  union  with  her 
U.nl  iKul  been  lifted  out  of  the  participation  m  their 
miserv  vet  her  heart  still  went  out  to  those  with 
whom  so  manv  vears  of  her  life  had  been  spent,  and 
^vas  sore  witln'n  her  as  she  dwelt  upon  their  wron-s. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  Michael^  recital  she  inter- 


i6 


I/(,l(l:i. 


nipttil  iMt.  Imt  when,  at  the  coiR-hision  <>\  hi^  tale, 
he  a.L^ain  l>r<>kr  ml"  |ia-->i.  >natc  iiuective  a.^amst  the 
|nr|>etratiir>  <>|'  ^ncli  cnulty.  ami  iittrrcil  dark  turli'nl- 
iii^s   a-.  Id   the   future   "i"   tlie   laii'l,   >lie   lif'ike   in. 

'Kepiiie  nut.  u\\  Muhaek  Tliere  is  >et  inuch 
whieli  VMU  aii'l  1  eaii  ilo.  Dots  not  this  law.  uhieli 
li.i-  jU-i  lu-eii  p.i-sed.  make  \ '  <\\  the  ;ih-'.hite  l>r.!  ati'l 
master  of  the  jn-.a-antry  thron'^h'Hit  the  whole  dis- 
trict nf  Mar.)!!'  Then  ii-e  the  power  which  is  ju-t 
lu'stowed  ui><)n  \oii  to  iT'lit't  and  hetter  their  coivli- 
tiun.  The  laws,  wliich  m;i'iv  in  lluir  -rei-d  will  take 
advantage  of  to  harrass  and  ()pi>ress.  ynu  can  turn  to 
the  lastint:  heiietit  of  those  who  are  \our  le,L;al  -servi- 
tors, and  l>v  exactinii  onl\  \onr  just  share  ol  the 
product  of  tlu'ir  toil,  brim,'  joy  and  (,dailne>s  to  many 
disheartened  ones,  ant!  ,!,;ladly  will  1  do  that  which 
I  can  to  help;  for  are  not  these  my  i>eople  also.'  ' 

■•Trnlx,  Izolda,  thou  art  a  f.ailhful  wife  to  me  and 
Ciod  hath  L^iven  \ou  a  wisdom  well  matured  and  ])ower 
to  see  the  t^ooil  whicii  in  all  e\il  lies.  .\s  thou  hast 
spoken, — so  let  it  he,  and  we  will  strive  onr  utmost 
to  make  the  i^noA  to  swell  and  the  evil  to  pr^'W  Ic'ss. 
Who  can  tell  Imt  that  in  seeini;  the  prosjierity  and 
peace  which  will  surely  dwell  throughout  all  the  lands 
of  Mar(->t.  others  may  come  to  seek  tlie  rii,dit,  and  het- 
ter davs  be  vet  in  store  for  Munpfary.  Tn  this  wise, 
D>'izsa,  throu;.;h  his  sweet  dauj^hler,  will  have  accoin- 
I)li>heil  the  deliverance  of  the  peasantry  I" 


Krii/>r.rr, 


i 


"Tlic  lepcnd  of  tlic  I'.a-alian/ ?  ^  Voa  ;  ^'ladlv  will 
[  iitifuM  {hv  talo  to  inv  lor.l.  and  a  Miulr  trotn  tin- 
-rntlc  mai.lcn  will  well  rrpay  iiu',— I  am  palrtul.  niv 
Tord.  Tlu-  coin  i>  aNo  not  to  hr  dcspisL'-l  !->  i-oor 
An<lri-as,— and  you  may  rv\u,>v  contidcncc  in  nu-  that 
I    shall  tfll  faithfully  the  -toiy   which— mark  ucll— 

is  all  most  true. 

••In  jounu-yin^r  ihrou-h  ihi<  lair  Ilun-arian  land,  n 
has  not  cscapc.l  the  notice  of  my  lord,  that  here  an-l 
there  the  ruins  of  a  one-time  mos(ine  are  seen,  and 
he  (far  better  than  a  i>oor  Tzi;j;anal  knows  that  there 
was  a  time  when  fierce  'rtirks  possessed  this  land  and 
pressed  sore  the  yoke  np..n  the  necks  of  t!ie  l-rave 
Maijyar   race,   until   at    len-th   it    pressed   s.)   sorely 
that^the  captives  rose,  and.  in  their  mi-ht.  drove  out 
the  int^del  intruders.    The  story  which  1  have  to  tJ!. 
dwells  not  upon  the  drivin-  «mt.  Init  on  their  ruslmv.: 
in.  nmch  more  than  two  hundred  years  a^.-ne.     ^  ea. 
rather  close  to  three  centuries  have  made  their  rfumd 
since  that  fatal  dav  at  Mohacs.  when  the  misjhty  Solv- 
tnan  crushe.l  so  terribly  the  forces  of  Kin^  I/niis  and 
did    to    death   that    brave,    youn-    mouarch    him^elt. 
False  fncmls—noi  fjc s—wrou'j;hi  ruin  to  our  Ilun- 


»  Pasha's  struggle. 


217 


I 


h  < 


w 


218 


l/uldii. 


frarv.  aii.l  l.a.l  K  h  !u  r  .ini^pr.!  .".n-l  al.n.-t  nakr.l  nl 
(U^tViisc.  witli  a  a-iu-l  au.l  h-trriu-  u-ui'..l  t"  paraiy/e 
luT  sin-ii-tli,  -.  lliat  ulu-n  tlic  <!av  mI  haulr  vaiiu- 
tilic  was,  perforce,  i»'cr\\lKliiu-(l. 

••l)oiil,tk-ss  you  know  sonuthini,'  >  >f  tliat  niu'  lK•a^- 
aiu's  war  wliicli  sanirjjjed  tlir  land  sonir  >ear-^  l.^ii.re 

„1  ,-,,l,!,..l  iur  of  til"  n-v.vr  -t  Iut  dnVn.kT;.  ar>! 
h  ,t    ,iin.-    ..n,    tlK-    nuhles,     f.>r'u-lfu 


a  I 


ot 


linw.    Ir-Mn    liiat    .inu' 

their  .Intv  t.,  thr  ihr-ne  an.l  kin,L;.lu:n.     .li.l  still  nmr. 

ernt-lh    -rind  and  i.rr^ecute  the  wia-trln-d  iHasanir- 


(wlu.  werr  ii.'W  nnich  worse  than  slave-),  and 
s.iuee/ed.  as  it  uere.  their  heart's  blood  out.  drop 
l,v  drop.  11  tlu-v  conld  lhereb\  k^ain  even  the  smallest 
c'.in  n'.or.^  for  tlu-ir  own  wasteful  siKMidin^^.  \i^ht 
.-illiT  ni-ht,  hy  some,  i^reat  fea-ls  were  made,  an.l 
until  d.-iCli-ht  dawned,  hi-h  revel  ruled,  while  .Irunk- 
rnness  ahounde-l  so  that  half  their  da>s  were  spent 
in  slussish.  l.oorish  sleep.  Thus,  in  shameful  want- 
onness was  S(iuandered  the  fruit  of  the  i".or  peasant's 
toil,  while  liL  -.-'s  f..rced.  to  livr.  -.0  scantily,  that  oft 
his  children's  cries  for  bread  would  be  his  ni-htly  lul- 
laby. 

"If,  perchance,  the  kin<:.— he  who  wore  the  triple 
crown  of  Stephen,— dared  to  make  reciuisition  fr.r 
some  service  from  these  h.aujihty  l.jrds,  their  response- 
was  not  prompt  obedience,  but  rather  a  vyiui;  with 
,;ich  other  to  learn  wh.ich  coul  1  be  most  ru-le  and 
churlish  in  his  treatmeiU  of  the  sovereign,  who, 
plundered  of  hi-  revenues  hy  these  robber  chiefs,  was 
hrouirht  well-niKh  to  begsarv.    .Ml  this,  the  while  the 


I'.piloguc.  -'9 

•[•(Mk  va^  "u  tluir  iM.r^lcrs,  ever  closing'  in  an-l  cast 
i„^.  his  avaricious  .no   upo.,  the   UTliK-   MuM.  a.ul 
..ath.Tlng  strcn^'lli  ^.r  the  final  si-rin-  at  tlu-  thn-ats 
r.f  tlir  woakcnin-  M^^iiv^.  ul'"  ^v.r  at  t'uir  tracts. 
i„    fanool    s.cnvitv    an<l    aun.l    l-u.l    l.ravado.    -Irank 
•lAai'-  t..  thr  Turks'  a^  a  lu-luly  cerunony,  drrain 
inc.  in  tlK-ir  ciiil-li-h  i-nc,ranco.  of  tlu'    lav.  ■ -f   Io!,n 
llmr.adi    w'.u'n  thv  Saracm  h^nlrs  wcrr  .Invcn  bark 
nn.l  uvvW  to  tVd  that  lhou:Ji  all  other  thron.-s  mi.i^ht 
fall.  <hat  Mt  Hungary  was  hxdl  upon  a  rock  nnprrvi- 
,,us  to  their  fierce  assaul's. 

-Sa.l  -lavs,  in.lee.l,  werr  iho^e  for  stricken  Ihm-arv 
still  .martin-  from  the  -ai.in-  woun.K  cause.l  '.y  the 
massacre  <.{  full  filtv  thousaihl  of  her  sturdy  luasants. 
—those   woun.ls  which.  instea<l   of  clo.in-  with  the 
healin-  touch,  an.l  salvin-  with  the  halm  ot  concilia- 
tion, were  ever  torn  afresh  bv  the  tvramu  an,!  -ro:^ 
injustice  of  those  who  slioukl  have  nia^ie  th.'ir  work 
the  hin.lin-  up  of  her  injuries.     TUit  not  all  were  such. 
^ome   few   there   were   amonsT  the    nol.le-l.orn.   who 
saw   ari-ht    an.l   strove.-lnit    hoplesslv.   a-ainst    the 
•whehnin-^  tide.-to  pacify,  an.l  to  rij^'ht  the  wron-s 
inflicted  l.y  the  cruel  Tripartite  laws ;  but  these  were 

few,  indeed. 

•Such  an  one  wa>  the  v-mn-  Comes  ,  ,t  Marot.  brave 
Michael  Dobozv.  wh.^  uith  his  ladv-herseh  a  peas- 
ant maid,  thou-h  'twas  .aid  that  in  her  veins  there 
flowed  even  roNal  blond,  the  bravest  ot  the  Ma-yar 
kings.-tthousii  of  the  bar  sinister),-bent  Ins  everv 
energv  to  gain  justice  for  the  people.    In  this  he  well- 


lO 


I /(-Ida. 


lit- 


niK'h  ImsI  lii->  liU',  aivl  his  fnn'dMiii  was  more  than 
once  so  darkly  tlirratriud.  tliat  at  Icii.cjth  ho  aban- 
donc'l  th.'  linpclcss  strui:t:lc.  but  spent  his  .lays  hence- 
forth in  the  f^rand  etideavor  t(i  make  at  least  those 
about  him  haj'.picr  and  free  from  the  crushin-  pres- 
sure of  the  unjust  laws.  Much  was  he  beloved  by  hi. 
propU-,  wh-,  while  tluy  did  execrate  the  nobles  as  a 
class,  were  yet  ready  to  lay  clown  their  lives  almost  in 
the  service  of  their  >oung  lord  un<l  his  sweet  com- 
panion. 

"On  his  estates,  even  justice  reipicd  for  all.  Tlie 
peasants  worked,  l)ut  not  unduly,  and  for  their  toil 
received  just  reeoir.ixMise,  while,  when  the  harvest 
was  ingathered.  instead  of  the  C')mes  claimini;-  it  for 
his  own  and  dolin.t:-  out  a  nure  pittance  to  his  starv- 
ing; servitors,  he  held  it  theirs,  and  asked  but  small 
and  ju.^.  pro])ortion  for  himself  as  lord  of  the  land 
an.l  holder  from  the  erow.i.  Vet  he  prosi>ere.l.  an<l 
so  di<l  thev.-^and  why  .diould  it  not  always  be  thus 
between  the  master  and  the  servant'  Our  senerons 
mother  earth  does  ever  heaji  most  b.nmteous  rewards 
upon  those  who  till  the  soil,  so  that  there  is  much 
and  to  spare  for  all.  Then  why  should  any  hunger, 
while  the  few  p;row  ^ross  w  ith  surfeit  1 

"The  doir.ijs  of  the  Comes  were  not  looked  upon 
with  ia-or  bv  those  nobles,  whose  sole  desire  was 
not  the  welfare  and  upbuiMini,^  of  their  native  land, 
but  was  the  rather,  the  ui-buildinj;  of  more  power, 
each  for  himself,  re;„^ardless  of  the  -eneral  .cjood  ;  and 
some  there  were,  liis  neighbors,  who  strove  by  false 


^# 


Epilogui. 


Ill 


rt-ports  and  accusations.  Im  stir  tlu-  people  up  against 
him  and  so  trnstratr  hi.  ^^ncrous  schemes.  At  tlu- 
Court,  also.  wIhsiktmik-  of  .ii.^lovalt  v  wt-rc  utl.Tol  I'V 
those  whose  own  lovaltv.  to  any  l.nt  ihcniselvc..  ha.l 
long  been  thrca-lharr.  And  to  th.  Church  .lign.- 
tarics.  s,»uu-  wcu  <larcd  to  call  luiu  heretic,  ni  the 
hope  that  Ik-  nn-ht  l>c  caM  t'ortli  and  dispossesscl  -.1 
his  lands,  while  th.v,  perhaps,  nii-ht  i)rotit  hy  tlu-ir 
confiscation.  lUu  to  ad  this,  he.  of  Marot.  paid  hut 
httle  heed,  and  Inisied  himselt,-wnh  the  he^)  of  his 
fair  wife-in  carin-  for  the  welfare  of  hi.  peasantry. 

••Then  the  Turkish  Sultan  die<l.  and  tlie  threat  Soly- 
man  hecanu-  tlu-  leader  of  those  dark  horde.,  which 
l„,vcred  on  tlu-  borders  of  the  lan<l.     An  envoy,  sent 
in   peace   bv   him,  was   treated  with   gross   mdignitv, 
and  sufTere.l  cruel,  bodily   violence  at   the  han.ls   ot 
some  of  these  haughtv  nobles.-whetlier  mtlamel  bv 
wine  and  with  senses  deadened  to  all  thought  of  con- 
seciuences,  or  lulled  int..  the  confi<lence  of  false  secur- 
ity in  dull  ignorance  of  the  woeful  weakness  of  tlu- 
kingdom,  -twere  liard  to  discern.     Ihu  from  whatever 
cause  the  deed  was  done  .nd  a  terrible  vengeance  lav 
in  store  for  the  unfortunate  Magyar  race. 

'•1  on-  ere  those  who  had  been  so  eager  to  bid  such 
ra^h  defiance  to  tlie  infidel  mouarch  liad  come  to 
reali/e  tb.eir  .langer.  the  armed  myriads  ol  l^^  ^y.ld 
warriors  came  thundering  -  eir  very  gates.  Thev 
then,  in  woefal  panic,  but  ■     -.  began  to  call  upon 


those   very   peasants   wlio-ii. 


.,    their    cruelties    and 


wrongs  they  ha.l  well-nigh  ma.le  incapable  of  making 


1/olchl. 


=  1     ! 


h" 


a  defense.      I'.ul  when  at   la>t,  l)y  great  endeavor,  a 
few  warlike  lords  had  ^allured  to.t^ether  some  scanty 
thdUsands.    tlu  y,- in-tead    ..i     niakiii-     sircni;lli    1)> 
nninn-->tdl     purMied     tluir     i>etty     ()uarrrls    aniniiL; 
themselves   \<>  Mieh   ].nriM.>e   that    w  >   real    Mand   was 
made  as^ain-t  the  invaders,  who  were  (.■vctvwIutc  vic- 
torious,   until    the    youihlnl    kin;:,    m.^re    luave    than 
wise,  with  such   force  a-  he  could  nuistcr.  -ave  un- 
e(iual    battle    on    the    laid    of    Mohac-.    where    soiue 
twentv    thousand    martyr^,— one   the    Kin-,--  ;  udded 
tlieir  lives  in   v.ain   end.eavor  to  save  poor    Mun.uary 
from  the  retribution  for  her  rulers"  sins.     .\nd  never 
was  work  of  punishment  entrusteil  to  more  ruthless 
iiH|uisiiwrs   than    tho^e    sava-e    Turks,    who    overran 
the  land,  to  ])illa,i;e  and  destroy  a^   fancy  led  tluni. 
The  wretched  peasants,  dis.armed  and  co\ve<l  by  their 
cruel    masters,    made    easy    prey    lor    these    acconi 
])lished  butchers,  who  slew  men,  women  and  babes  in 
j)itiless  unC'UKHTU. 

"  Twas  then  tliat  the  brave  Dobozv,  desperate  at 
the  merciless  slau-hier,  and  luoved  to  a  tierce  com- 
l)asMon  bv  the  .^roanin-s  of  his  belove.l  i>eople,  was 
tired  with  an  heroic  palriotisin  and  desire,  if  pos-ible, 
t(,  free  his  native  land  from  the  yoke  of  the  hated 
tyrants,  and  determined  to  take  the  field  hitnself  and 
make  stand  a-ainst  the  •whelmin-  tide.  .Numbers  of 
the  jieasantrv  t,^athered  round  his  stan<lard.  and  when 
at  length  he  faced  the  foe  in  the  neii;hborho..d  of  his 
own  ca-^tle,  he  led  almost  as  large  an  army  as  that 
which  the  king  had  led  at  Mohacs,— and  led  them  to 
as  sure  a  doom.     He  formed  a  barricade  and  hoped 


h^ 


i  j 


l-.pil 


onue. 


pi  log 


223 


to  make  a  lengthened  stand,  but  the  Turkish  leader, 
more  skilled  in  war  than  lie,  soon  found  a  way  to 
place  Ins  cannon  so  tluil  ihey  played  most  disas- 
trously np.m  his  camp,  with  result  that  not  U>v  lor,- 
the  battle  rat,'ed  before  the  poor  peasants,  wild  with 
terror,  broke  and  lied  in  Rreat  disorder,  and  what  had 
at  besi'mins  seemed  a  t^-ht  was  now  but  massacre 
and  bntchet-v. 

"Th.e  Conies  at  last  was  f.jrced  to  flee.  and.  with  his 
KaMitle  wife  upon  the  saddle  before  him,  made  brave 
effort  to  escape,  but  was  pursued  most   hotly  by  a 
score  or  more.     Vet  did  he  hope  to  attain  a  place  <>t 
safetv  in  the  niMuntains  clnse  at  hand,  and  to  thi.  en<l 
ur^cul  his  pant  in-  steed  toward  the  stream  which  ran 
beuveen,     (  )n,  on.  they  thd.  and  on,  ever  on,  came 
the  fierce  purstiers.  and  every  time   Oobozy  th.rew  a 
backward  c^dance  it  seemed  that  the  <listance  between 
was   lessening.     Well   to   the    front    of  the   pursnm.tx 
band  r.Kle  a  tall  emir,  who  spared,  not  his  black  Arab 
1      se  one  instant,  but  ever  lashed  and  spurred  him  on 
*o  greater  leaps  and  bounds  while  he  bent  far  tor- 
ward  o-er  his  neck  as  if  in  very  ea-erncss  to  -rasp 
his  ptev  the  instant  that  his  hand  could  reach  them. 

•CMiward  and  still  onward  thundered  the  chase. 
The  stake  was  life,  vea.  and  more  than  life  to  one,— 
to   her   who  bravely   strove   to  cheer  her   lord   with 

hopeful  wcjrds. 

••  'See  now,'  she  cri.^.  'The  stream  is  not  far  o!f. 
and  if  we  can  but  make  the  bri<lse  and  after  passm- 
have  but  few  moments  to  wreck  its  frailty,  we  arc 
not  lost !' 


fd 


ii 


I 


•  I  • 


\ 

I 


224 


Izokla. 


"  lit-  casta>;ain  a  l)ai.l;\\  aid  ;-;laiiCf.  Vt.--.  achaiicc 
rcnuimc.l,  t'T  -till  \\v  lu'M  urll  in  the  Ica.l.  The  t'lnir 
l,,ll.,u.'.l    cImm— Imt    that    wa-    all    ihc    wor-c    ImI"    the 

I'liiir. 

■••(■.niir.  iiuw.  hravr  -tir-l.  !"ru  m..nuiit.-  iiK.ri' 
maintain  thr  nncinial  race  ami  tluai  uilt  plaa-  us  and 
thv  sucrt  tnislivs-  m  -ale  rrtivat  In .111  tlu'Sf  raisin,:: 
tu•n(l^-  that  t'(.ll..u.'  And  rrachinu'  f'Tsvaril.  he  i)altedi 
tin-  strMni;  andifd   neck. 

•■  r,nt  even  as  he  -pwke  the  i>oMr  heast  stnmhled  and 
with  <lirt"u-ultv  maintained  his  feet,  while  sii^ns  of  Ha.t,'- 
.i;inj;  -few  apace.  Wdiat  pained  an.irtdsh  then  sliot 
tlr.'^u-h  that  noble  heart!  .Must  the  chase  end  thus? 
.\nd  nmst  he  cruc'ly  i)erish  when  so  nearly  escaped, 
and  in  peri-hin.L,'  know  that  his  hrave.  votin,<i  wife  was 
eaptive  ni  the  h,.n<!s  of  the-e  cruel.  w".nton  do.u's  of 
tlie  I-.;i-i?  I'erish  he  must,  hut  for  her  tn.Tc  may  yet 
he  hope!     He  pressed  the  reins  into  tln)se  loved  hands 

and  -poke. 

•••The  heast    is   well-ni-h   done  an.1   cannot  lontu-r 

carrv   duuhle.      Press  on   and   thou   mavest   yet  escape 

vhile  I   dismount  and  make  what   ti.^ht  1    may 


them,   wl 


n  the  Ijridtre 


t,,  Slav  their  onward  chase  until  yon  wni 
Make  for  the  hills  and  do  not  lin-^er  one  moment  to 
wee])  tor  me.  If  1  hut  know  that  thou  art  safe,  death 
will  he  rohhed  of  half  its  terrors.' 

•••Ni,!  No!  '  she  cried,  and  seized  him  ti-hter  round 
the  waist.  "  I'.ither  we  escape  or  die  tot^cther !  See. 
our  hrave  char-er  still  presses  mi,  thou-h  in  sore  dis- 
Hc  vet  will  save  us'  " 


tre>s. 


Dobozv  turned  his  head  once  mure  Vo  mark  their 


^*ri 


F.pilogue. 


-5 


pursuers,  and  hlack  despair  was  m  Ins  face  to     ee 
how  fast  the  <Usta.u-e  lessened  Detweeu  them  and  that 
e.nir-s    <^r..X     Aral)     steed.     "No    lu.,,e.    no    l-pe. 
sounded  hke  a  knell  within  his  heart  and   forced  a 
.roan.      But   even   as   he    groaned   ;he   enm  s   horse 
swerved,  stumbled  and  fell  heavily  f.^rward.    A  figure 
had  sprung  np  from  behin.l  a  low  hush   and     ashmg 
itself  full  upon  the  charger's  fr.nt.  had  forced  h.s    a 
then  quickly  sprang  aside  and  turned  to  flee.     L  t 
the  fierce  Turk,  unhurt  and  vengetul.  was  u    a  tr.> 
ment  freed  from  his  struggling  mount,  and  shr-.ekmg 
curses    followed,    swift    of    foot    and   -hh    gleaning 
blade  raised  on  high,  in  close  pursuit.     One  sho 
„.inute  only  and  then  that  blade  'descended  and  en 
the  fugitive  almost  in  twain.     Pausmg  not  for  a  sec 
ond  look,  he  turned  him  back.  and.  mounting   ns  re 
covere.l  beast,  once  more  took  up  the  chase,  still  to 
the  front  of  his  more  laggard  followers. 

.q>ut  those  few  mon.ents  vere  most  preciouj  to  tie 
fugitives,  and  once  more  hope  grew  up  within  the 

'^^^^iJl^e';^;;^' lie  cried.  'We  are  saved ;  but 
.  f^:;:;;  ^crif^ce.  V..^^  A-'-as.  tlie  Tz^ana 
has  repaid  mv  small  services  with  his  life.  \\  oulc 
that  r could- but  have   measured  blades  with   yon 

assa=sin  in  his  defence! 

""And  now  the  stream  is  wel'-nigh  won.  A  moirient 
more  and  the  hoofs  of  their  gallant  steed  will  clang 
Tross  ^he  bridge,  and  there  will  yet  be  tune  to  wreck 
the  light  causeway  ere  their  pursuers  arr.e  to  h . .  .  r^ 
They  reach  the  brink;  but  f^nd  no  bridge!  Theirs 
15 


i    !   ! 


•-  ■„-    'A 


■!i 


226 


I/ulda. 


i  *' 


uxTo  n.it  ihc  oiilv  lirain>  which  lia^l  conccive.l 
this  plan  ni  il.-hl.  S.Miio  scattciT'l  j^ra^ant-  ha^l 
alrcadv  crossed  an-l  halked  pur.^nit  hy  cuttin-  fmni 
it.  niMnrin-s  the  unly  iKissa-o.  IMank  despair  onco 
nvirc  sot'  d  ir,..-,  th.  m'  twu  imMr  hearts.  Tli.'  l-anks 
were  hi-h  and  ]n-{\\vvu  nidud  ihr  <trrain  now 
swolK'ii  t"  an  an-ry  torn-iit,  while  cl-e  beliind 
tliunderrd  their  relenilc.s  foes.  (  tnee  more  the 
Cutties   sjMike. 

••'Ix.dda,  thMuinn^t  leave  iiie.  Here  will  T  stavand 
ni,  t  the  infidels  as  thev  close  up.  I'v  skillful  ^w  ■  .rd- 
]day  I  uiav  -ain  some  luinute-.  while  you  jiress  (luickly 
(Hiuard  hv  the  hank^.  Three  luiU-  above  there  is  a 
f.,rd  which  the  hea^t.  n.  .w  li-hteiied  of  my  v  ,i,L;ht,  I 
trttM  can  tttake  ere  yet  •  .iir  foe.  can  l.rea-t  you.  Mv 
life  will  lure  1..-  -.Id  m--t  dearlv  to  lluni.  an<l  vonr 
escaje  made   sure, 

"  'X^t  so.  mv  hu-kand.'  i|uoth  hi-  mi-tress.  'Life 
without  you  we)uld  indeed  he  vain.  Here  let  us  d..- 
together.' 

••  -Xo.  Xo*'  he  urq:ed.  'Fly.  while  yet  you  may.  A 
moment  and  "twill  he  too  late  I' 

•■'Then  let  that  moment  pass  !'  came(piick  response. 
•"Twere  sweeter  far  to  .lie  wit';  '^  ue  than  live.  .\nd 
.Mick.ael.  mark  you  not  that  foremost  man,  and  the 
awful  furv  in  his  countenance'  Hast  not  seen  that 
face  before:^  X'o  Turk  is  he;  but  that  vile  Spaniard, 
de  Gaul. whose  hateful  venKcanoe  I  could  ne'er  escape. 
Thitik  von  he  would  not  pursue  until  I.  of  very  weari- 
ness of  flight  would  fall  his  easy  prcy^  Wilt  thou 
let  me  live  to  meet  ilishoiior  from  that  vile  wretch? 


■•-ti. 


Kpilogue. 


227 


Nav,  lui<ban<l.  nav.  l'"'  ni'-rc  merciful  than  that 
Hcrr  strikr  \hv  hhnv  thvself  an.l  ^wcet  'tutll  \n-  to 
taste  .U.ith  at  tin-  dear  han.l.  Then  together  our 
souls  will  llv  Iroui  this  cruel  worl.l  to  hri.i^hter  realms 
above  !'  and'  speaking  she  baied  her  snow  white  breast 
and  coaxed  his  dagger's  plunge 

"He  paused  irresolute,  his  han.l  upon  the  hdt,  and 
as  he  thus  de!  ved.  a  voice  of  hatred  which  he  knew, 
full  well  brokt    '   -th  with  oaths  and  tanntings. 

"  -How  now,  .  end  Michael !  Did  I  not  years  gone 
bv  promise  von  ample  vengeance  for  the  buffet  which 
robbed  me  of  the  embrace  of  her  whom  you  cannot 
for  longer  detain  from  coming  to  my  arms  .■• 

"  -Enough.  It  shall  be  as  thou  doth  wi^h,  IzoMa. 
Heaven  fo'i-give  the  blow,  and  may  our  spirits  meet 
bevond.  Farewell,  heart's  lovel'  and  after  one  brict 
passionate  embrace,  raised  his  arm  and  plunged  the 
blade  deep  into  that  gemle  breast;  then  turmng 
rushed  to  meet  his  foe  and  making  fierce  onslaught 
shouted  between  his  blows. 

"  'True  Vengeance  is  vours,  Cardenio.  but  you 
shall  not  live  to  enjoy  it.  As  that  fairest  soul  ..f  the 
Magyar  race  goes  forth  upon  its  passage  to  realms 
of  bliss,  thy  blackened  spirit  shall  likewise  take  its 
flight  to  regions  of  woe  below!' 

"In  vain  the  Spaniard  strove  to  parry.  Thrust  after 
thrust  was  f^ercelv  made  until  one  went  home  with 
such  force,  that  it  seemed  that  the  hilt  as  well  as  blade 
must  be  driven  through  his  body,  and  as  he  went 
down,  a  comrade  riding  up  plunged  his  spear  into  the 
brave  Comes'  neck,  and  he.  too,  sank,  a  corpse. 


I 

hi 


i 


oi^  l/ukhl.  / 

'•TV,is  mv  l.)r.l.  in  llu-  -lorv  ..i  tht-  I'.a^aliarev.  cvctv 
u.,r,l  Mt  which  is  mn.ttnu-:!...-  1  haM  .1  ut  n.s  tathor. 
uhu  in  turn  trwiu  h.^  fatlui'.  father,  and  tlic  bravo 
'IVigana.  An.lrca^,  who  Rave  his  hfc  in  hoiu-  to  savi- 
the  Comes  an.l  hi.  la^lv.  was  my  aticestor,  whoso 
name  1  bear.  " 


{    1 


I 


